Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 5d

Home Office report exposes reality of UK labs:

⚠️ Animals trapped in equipment
💧 Drowned from faulty watering systems
📦 Forgotten in transport
🧪 Severe suffering in experiments

These aren’t rare accidents. They’re systemic failures.

#KinderScience #AnimalFree #HerbiesLaw

1 2 3

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 15d

This week on the #podcast, Carla & Dr Gemma chat with Dr Adjanie Patabendige on how an irregular heartbeat may raise dementia risk + her human-cell research replacing animal models.

We also cover @chrishinchliff.bsky.social backing #HerbiesLaw 🐶

Listen: animalfreeresearchuk.org/our-podcast

2 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 15d

Can an irregular heartbeat increase dementia risk? 🫀

Dr Adjanie Patabendige’s animal-free research at the University of Derby uses a human blood-brain barrier model + real ECG rhythms to uncover the link.

Hear more on today's 🎧 #podcast!

#AnimalFreeLabcast #DementiaResearch #AnimalFree

2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 15d

🧠 Human “mini-brains” are changing Alzheimer’s research!

Dr Tom Piers @exeter.ac.uk uses stem cells + animal-free methods to grow human brain tissue to study early-stage Alzheimer’s, which can't be modelled in animal tests.

#WorldAlzheimersMonth #AnimalFree

1 1 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 16d

🧠 Dr Patricia Ragazzon @keeleuniversity.bsky.social is creating a human cell model to understand how stress affects brain cells in Alzheimer’s, and how it might accelerate damage.

This work could unlock new insights - paving the way for reliable, ethical treatments.

#WorldAlzheimersMonth

2 2

Reposted by Animal Free Research UK

Steph Jones-Giles @stephjg12.bsky.social · 21d

THANK YOU to everyone who came to #Bude groups Sunshine Celebration and made the evening so wonderful! We raised a fantastic £1,174.77 which will be winging its way to @afruk.bsky.social to support the fabulous work at the laboratory in Exeter under the leadership of Professor @lornah.bsky.social 😘

2 1 3

Reposted by Animal Free Research UK

Steph Jones-Giles @stephjg12.bsky.social · 21d

It's @afruk.bsky.social #Bude Group's 10 Year Anniversary in 2025 so we are aiming to raise £10,000 this year..so far we have raised an impressive £9,382.37 thanks to the generosity of #Bude Community 😍

Christmas Craft Fayre next...
@trevstaxibude.bsky.social
@lornah.bsky.social

1 1 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 23d

⚠️ Melanoma causes ~60% of skin cancer deaths despite making up just 1% of cases.

@drabiddle.bsky.social and his team at QMUL found rare “cancer stem cells” at tumour edges - highly adaptable, drug-resistant & key to spread. Targeting them could save lives. 🎯

#KinderScience #SkinCancer

2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · 24d

📣 Yesterday in Parliament, @chrishinchliff.bsky.social urged the Govt to include #HerbiesLaw in their non-animal methods strategy.

👏129 cross-party Parliamentarians back it – is your MP one? Check & write to them here 👉 www.animalfreeresearchuk.org/supporting-h...

#KinderScience #BrighterFuture

2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 11

Say goodbye to animal gelatin & hello ThermoPIGs 🐷

Every year, ~65M animals are used to make gelatin for research + medicine. Dr Sam Aspinall’s synthetic “ThermoPIGs” mimic gelatin – but without animals.

We talk to Sam on tomorrow's #AnimalFreeLabcast #podcast!

#KinderScience

1 2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 10

🚗🐾 At 87, Rosie is retracing her journey across Ireland – this time by car with husband Irvine – while walking 1–2 miles every day to support a future without animal testing.

She’s already walked 85+ miles! 👏

Support: www.justgiving.com/page/rosies-journey

#HerbiesHeroes #KinderScience

1 3

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 8

Upfront investment aside, new animal-free methods are often more cost-effective in the long run.

⚡ Faster results
📊 More reliable data
💸 Lower maintenance costs
♻️ Less waste

Going #AnimalFree isn’t just ethical – it’s smarter science. 🌱

#MythBusterMonday #KinderScience

1 2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 5

Help us build support for #HerbiesLaw at the Lib Dem Conference!

We’ll be at Stand 37 with giant Herbie + our buzz wire game.

Got a Lib Dem MP?
✅ Tag them!
✅ Email them with our simple tool: secure.animalfreeresearchuk.org/page/176823/...

#LDConf #KinderScience #AnimalFree

6 5

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 4

A Future of Possibility 🌱

Prof. Julian Ma’s plant-based antibodies for rabies are advancing toward human trials in South Africa. Next, he aims to explore treatments for COVID-19, flu, TB, cancer, and more – shaping a greener, #AnimalFree future.

#KinderScience

1 2 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 2

🌱 Professor Julian Ma is pioneering planti-bodies: producing monoclonal antibodies in plants instead of animals. His vision? A kinder, safer & more affordable future for medicine 💚

Read the interview: animalfreeresearchuk.org/get-to-know/professor-julian-ma

#AnimalFree #KinderScience #PlantiBodies

1 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 2

In Ep41 of the #AnimalFreeLabcast, Dr Gemma Davies tackles your top Qs:

❌ Why do we still test on animals, despite the risks
🧬 Which diseases use the most animals
👩‍🔬 Why Gemma walked away from research

Listen: animalfreeresearchuk.org/our-podcast

#Podcast #KinderScience

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Sep 1

Monoclonal antibodies save lives, but often at the cost of animals 🐭🐹🐮🐴

We're funding pioneering 'planti-bodies' to replace animals, making treatments safer, cheaper & accessible.

Help bring this breakthrough to patients by donating today 💚 animalfreeresearchuk.org/plants

2 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 28

From replacing horses in rabies treatment back in 2012-2015 to developing affordable, animal-free therapies for cancer, dementia & more in 2025 🌱 #KinderScience

Prof. Ma’s planti-bodies could transform global health, but he needs your support.

💚Donate: animalfreeresearchuk.org/plants

1 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 27

Millions are priced out of lifesaving treatments for cancer, malaria & rabies.

🌱 Prof Julian Ma is developing plant-based antibodies – safer, cheaper & animal-free.

💚 Help bring planti-bodies from plants to patients: www.animalfreeresearchuk.org/plants

#AnimalFree #KinderScience

2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 26

Professor Ma's exciting new project shows how innovation can replace animals, while bringing vital new medicines for cancer, rabies, malaria & more closer to the people who need them most. 🌍

More on our website: animalfreeresearchuk.org/project/from-plants-to-patients

#AnimalFree #Plantibodies

1 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 26

At ‪@citystgeorges.bsky.social‬, leaves are being transformed into something extraordinary 🍃 #KinderScience

Instead of using animals, Professor Julian Ma and his team are turning plants into living factories to produce life-saving medicines.

animalfreeresearchuk.org/project/from-plants-to-patients

1 1 1

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 18

⚠️ It’s a failure rate we can’t afford to ignore. Outdated animal testing methods are slowing progress and putting lives at risk.

Please share to support #HerbiesLaw, for smarter, safer, and kinder science.

www.animalfreeresearchuk.org/herbies-law

#KinderScience #BrighterFuture #AnimalFree

1 2

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 15

Your voice is making change happen 💚

🧬 MPs visited our ARC during #BritishScienceWeek
🐶 Debate on banning dog experiments
🐾 MPs had a pic with Giant Herbie
📢 Debate on phasing out animals in research
📃 60+ MPs & celebs signed a letter for #HerbiesLaw

#KinderScience

1 4 3

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 15

MPs are in their constituencies this summer - the perfect time to meet them & speak out against animal testing. We'll provide notes so that you're confident & informed.

💚 Be the voice animals in labs need: animalfreeresearchuk.org/summerrecess

#HerbiesLaw #AnimalFree #KinderScience

2 3

Animal Free Research UK @afruk.bsky.social · Aug 14

1