University of Groningen develops animal-free research method

Lab animals, especially fattened mice, are often used in research on liver diseases, naturally according to strict protocols. Researchers use the mice to study the effects of overweight on the functioning of the liver. University of Groningen Professor Peter Olinga from the Faculty of Science and Engineering is developing a model that will make it possible to conduct liver research, in the future, without lab animals. By placing ultra-thin slices of human liver inside a chip, Olinga hopes to obtain more information about liver diseases and to develop better medicines. This video shows Olinga's approach, entirely lab-animal free.