Animal research
Much of our experimental research is carried out in test tubes or cell cultures, but it is not yet possible to replace all animal research with alternative methods. Animal research is strictly regulated and comes under both Swedish and EU legislation on animal welfare.
General information
Photo: AFL/KIResearch with animals at KI
Karolinska Institutet's remit is to help improve human health through research and education. Studies of many major diseases rely on animal research to gain new knowledge about unknown biological mechanisms
Photo: Liza SimonssonComparative Medicine
Comparative Medicine deals with all aspects of activities related to animal experimentation in research at Karolinska Institutet, including animal housing and education of researchers.
Research with monkeys
Photo: Astrid Fagræus laboratory (AFL)Research with monkeys
A large part of the experimental research at KI is carried out in test tubes or cell cultures, for example. Monkeys are only used in animal experiments when other methods or animal species cannot be used.
Using animals in scientific research is strictly regulated and governed by Swedish and EU legislation on animal protection.
Photo: Astrid Fagræus laboratory (AFL)Housing at KM-F
Monkeys at Karolinska Institutet are housed at KM-F (Astrid Fagræus Laboratory), which was built specifically to offer them the best possible environment.
Find out more about the monkey's living environment, enrichment and social environment.
Photo: Getty ImagesPromising vaccine for Crimean-Congo virus
A study led from Karolinska Institutet give hope that it soon will be possible to vaccinate against the Crimean-Congo virus, that causes a fatal haemorrhagic fever. A new vaccine has been tested in primates and show promising results.
Alternatives
Photo: AFL/KMThe principles of 3R
KM strives to continuously and in a broad perspective work with 3R perspectives based on an evidence based foundation. The goal of the 3R office is that an understanding for the 3R policy shall permeate the work of the whole research community at KI.
They are seeking alternatives to animal research
Animal testing is a part of medical research. However, work is continuously ongoing to reduce the number of animals, improve technology and replace animal testing with other methods.