Animal-free drug tests with ‘organ on a chip’

Dr Ethan Perkins, a lecturer in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, has secured a £24,900 grant from Animal Free Research UK to develop a fully humanised 'organ-on-a-chip' model of prostate cancer. The 12-month project will simulate how cancer drugs interact with human tissues, without using animals or animal-derived materials.

"It's not just about replacing animals - it's about building better, human-relevant systems," said Dr Perkins. "This is a step forward in making drug testing more ethical, accurate, and effective."

Carla Owen, Chief Executive of Animal Free Research UK, said: "We are absolutely delighted to support Dr Ethan Perkins through our grant programme. As an early career researcher, his commitment to developing an innovative, human-specific model to study prostate cancer, which can directly replace the use of animals, is exactly the kind of ethical science we're proud to champion. It's vital we invest in researchers like Ethan, who are helping shape a future without animal testing - and we're excited to see the impact this work will have."

A National Shift in Momentum

The project comes as international interest in organ-on-a-chip technology is on the increase.

On July 3, during a packed House of Commons session, Daniel Francis MP was told by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Feryal Clark MP, the Government would produce a roadmap to phase out animal testing completely.

The momentum follows a major shift in the US, where the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 has removed the legal requirement for animal testing in drug development, a move that's influencing regulators worldwide.

What Is Organ-on-a-Chip?

Organ-on-a-chip is a tiny device, about the size of a USB stick, that mimics how a human organ works. Its surface contains tiny channels that act as incubators for living cells.

Researchers then use these to grow different human cells, mimicking the various organs of the body, which they can then use for tests. Because they behave like real organs, they can help scientists test new drugs more safely and accurately, without needing to use animals.

Dr Perkins' model will combine prostate cancer cells with healthy human cells (fibroblasts) from the tumour microenvironment and blood vessels to simulate the tumour environment. In addition, he will create healthy organ equivalents such as the liver, a common area of off-target side effects in healthy tissue. The system will be validated using known chemotherapy drugs and benchmarked against existing animal data.

Dr Perkins explained: "For example, with a new targeted cancer therapy, we would be looking at the tumour site but also key healthy sites such as liver (the main organ where that drug could be broken down and released) and the kidney (where the drug will go to be removed from the body) as it is important to see if the drug is going to damage those too."

Pattarawadee Kengkwasingh, PhD Researcher, Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, who is the lead researcher on the project, added: "Organ-on-chip models are an exciting tool for drug discovery, providing drug screening profiles in a relevant human platform, progressing towards personalised medicine approaches to cancer treatments. By using human-relevant systems, we can generate insights that are more accurate, more ethical, and ultimately more impactful for patients."

Bradford's Role in the Future of Testing

This is the first University of Bradford project funded by the Centre for Human Specific Research, a new initiative from Animal Free Research UK. It positions the university as a rising force in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), which aim to make drug testing more ethical, cost-effective, and human-relevant.

"This project exemplifies our commitment to research with real-world impact," said Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation.
"Bradford is proud to be part of a national movement toward smarter, more sustainable science."

Leading Change

While animal models remain part of the current drug development pipeline, researchers like Dr Perkins believe the future lies in human-specific systems.

Dr Perkins said: "The technology continues to advance, particularly with computational modelling to identify and support our organ-on-a-chip technologies. We're now reaching the point where animals can be phased out of several key drug development pipelines and as the technologies develop further, we'll be able to fully replace animals across all areas of drug development."

"We're not there yet - but we're getting closer. With the right investment and collaboration, we can build a future where animal-free testing is the gold standard."

What is his grant for?

Dr Ethan Perkins, who lectures in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at the University's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, has been awarded £24,900 by Animal Free Research UKthrough its Transition Grant scheme. The 12-month project will develop a fully humanised, microphysiological model of prostate cancer to improve early-stage screening of new anti-cancer drugs, without the use of animals or animal-derived biomaterials.

This is the first project at the University of Bradford funded by the Centre for Human Specific Research, a new initiative of Animal Free Research UK, positioning the institution as a potential leader in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in the North of England.

Dr Perkins, Principal Investigator, said:

"This grant represents a major milestone in my career and for the University. It's not just about replacing animals in research, it's about building better, human-relevant systems that can accelerate the development of safer, more effective cancer treatments."

"I'm proud that this project will help set a precedent for animal-free research in the North of England and beyond. It's an exciting time to be working at the intersection of cancer biology, ethics, and innovation."

Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation, University of Bradford, said:

"This project exemplifies the University of Bradford's commitment to research that delivers real-world impact. By advancing human-relevant, animal-free testing methods, Dr Perkins is not only contributing to the future of cancer therapeutics but also helping to shape a more ethical and sustainable research landscape. We are proud to support pioneering work like this, which aligns with our strategic vision of innovation for the public good."

Brief History of Animal Testing in Drug Development

Since 1938, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that all new drugs be tested on animals before human trials could begin, a mandate introduced under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act following a tragic incident involving a toxic drug formulation.

For decades, this regulation has shaped global pharmaceutical development, with many other countries adopting similar standards. However, in late 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed, marking a historic shift: it removed the mandatory requirement for animal testing and authorized the use of scientifically validated alternatives such as cell-based assays, organ-on-a-chip systems, and computer models.

This legislative change has sparked international momentum, with regulators in other countries now facing growing pressure to adopt New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that are more ethical, cost-effective, and human-relevant.

About Animal Free Research UK

Animal Free Research UKworks for a world where animals and humans lead healthy, happy lives, free from suffering. The charity supports scientists to deliver better treatments for patients faster by championing animal-free research. Since 1970, Animal Free Research UK has awarded over £11m in grants to fund 300 pioneering medical research projects that place ethics at the heart of the science of human disease.

On the Animal Free Research UK website you can find statistics on the number of animals used in medical researchand more information on animal-free alternatives.