24 de Março de 2025

EARA News Digest 2025 - Week 13


Welcome to your Monday morning update, from EARA, on the latest news in biomedical science, policy and openness on animal research. 

This week: How the brain computesEbola breakthrough in monkeysEasier access to EU animal use dataEARA vacancy - Communications manager.

Insights into how the brain computes

Using computer modelling and animal studies researchers in Germany have found that rhythmic patterns in brain cell circuits play a pivotal role in information processing, challenging traditional views of brain function. 

While it has been known that the brain exhibits rhythmic patterns, or oscillations, their function has been unclear. This study now gives evidence that these oscillations are crucial to how the brain processes information and are not just a side-effect of regular brain activity. 

Researchers at EARA member the Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI), in Frankfurt, used computer modelling to simulate brain networks with oscillating patterns. These oscillating networks learned faster, handled distractions better, and required fewer adjustments to work effectively compared to networks without these rhythms. 

While the primary focus of this study was on computer modelling, the findings align with previous observations in mice and monkeys, that showed that these patterns exist in other species as well.

Felix Effenberger, lead author of the study published in PNAS, said: “This is a major step forward in our understanding of how the brain computes.”

The researchers will now test how these oscillatory network principles align in animal models and see how they affect memory, learning, and decision-making. Additionally, they aim to collaborate with AI researchers to incorporate these principles into machine learning algorithms.

 

 

Breakthrough Ebola drug tested in monkeys

An experimental pill that blocks the Ebola virus from multiplying in the body has successfully treated monkeys with the infection, according to a US study.
 
If left untreated the Ebola virus is fatal in nine out of 10 people. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and leads to severe bleeding and organ failure. Although vaccines and new treatments exist, their use in sub-Saharan Africa, where Ebola outbreaks are most common, is challenging.
 
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch tested a new antiviral drug, Obeldesivir, which is similar to Remdesivir, an injectable treatment for Covid-19.
 
To reduce the number of animals used without compromising the study’s relevance and reliability of the data, cynomolgus macaque and rhesus macaque monkeys were infected, using eye drops containing a high dose of Ebola virus, roughly 30,000 times the lethal dose for humans.
 
A day after infection, 10 monkeys received a daily Obeldesivir pill for 10 days. This oral treatment prevented death in at least 80% of the monkeys - showing promise for future human applications.
 
As well as clearing the virus from the monkeys’ blood, Obeldesivir triggered an immune response, helping the animals develop defences against future infection while also preventing organ damage.  
 
The drug is already being tested in humans infected with the Marburg virus, a close relative of Ebola.
 
Thomas Geisbert, lead researcher of the study in Science Advances, highlighted the drug’s potential: “For outbreak response, oral antivirals might present substantial advantages over now approved intravenous drugs, such as easy supply, storage, distribution, and administration.”
 
Obeldesivir appears to offer broad protection, making it a potentially game-changing antiviral treatment not only for Ebola but for other deadly viruses.

 

 

Easier access to EU data on animal use

A new feature has been incorporated into the public EU databases that record the annual numbers of animals used in biomedical research and the non-technical summaries of research studies (NTS).


It is now possible to export all the data from the EU Statistical ALURES database and the EU Non-Technical Summaries (NTS) ALURES database for further analysis, by clicking on the ‘Download full dataset’ option on the top bar of the main page.

The download page can also be accessed directly here.



For more information on NTS, see the EARA feature Non-technical summaries explained or sign up for the next EARA NTS training workshop on 15 April.

 

 

EARA vacancy - Communications manager

EARA is looking to hire a communications manager, to join the EARA communications team in its London office.

The communications manager has overall responsibility in developing and implementing the EARA communications strategy, managed by the executive director, as well as managing the day-to-day duties of the communications team.

Applications should be sent by email to Kirk Leech kleech@eara.eu with a CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the job requirements.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 18 April at 1700 (London time). Read the full job description.

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