The Animal Free Labcast

This week, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies speak with Professor Jens Schwamborn about using midbrain organoids, 3D human brain models, to study Parkinson’s without animal testing. With Parkinson’s cases rising and current treatments limited, Jens explains how these models offer a more accurate and ethical alternative to animal research, paving the way for personalised, human-specific medicine. Poll...

Carla Owen and Dr. Gemma Davies return with another exciting episode of the Animal Free Labcast, diving into the latest developments in the movement to end animal testing. They discuss breakthroughs in organ-on-a-chip technology and how it’s paving the way for more ethical and effective medical research. The hosts speak with Aaron Davidsion from Animal Free Research UK  and explore the growing mom...

This week, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies explore British Science Week and the push for animal-free research. They discuss last week's poll, where 96% of listeners rejected animal organ transplants, and highlight concerns over foetal calf serum (FCS) in labs. Special guest Dr Nick Peake, from Sheffield Hallam University, shares his pioneering work on replacing animal-derived materials with fu...

This week on the Animal Free Labcast, Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies chat about the recent wins for Herbie’s Law in Parliament, celebrate women who are paving the way for International Day for Women and Girls in Science and dive into questions around animal-free heart research. Plus, they tackle the tricky issue of pig-to-human heart transplants and whether it’s time to focus on human-specific, an...

Join us for a World Cancer Day special as Carla Owen and Dr Gemma Davies explore the urgent need for human-specific cancer research. Special guest, Dr Cinzia Allegrucci, shares her groundbreaking triple-negative breast cancer research, developed entirely without animals.   🎙Poll of the Week: Should cancer researchers embrace non-animal methods in their work? Vote now on X , Facebook or Instagram !...

The Animal Free Labcast is back with a fresh new format for 2025! 🐾 Join Carla Owen and our brand new co-host, Dr Gemma Davies, as they dive into the latest news in our mission for animal-free research. In this lively episode, we welcome special guests Steve Race MP and Isobel Martin from Animal Free Research UK. Discover the latest updates on Herbie’s Law, aimed at creating a future where animal...

Join Carla Owen and Joao Barroso, who works for the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre within the ECVAM unit, in an eye-opening podcast episode. From animal-free antibodies to the European Commission's ground-breaking recommendation, this episode provides a comprehensive view of the transition to ethical and reliable scientific practices. Walk through the changing landscape of res...

Join our Labcast host, Carla Owen, as she welcomes Professor Matt Dalby, a leading expert in the field of non-animal, human-relevant technologies.  Matt is at the forefront of ground-breaking research; his insights and experiences provide a unique perspective on the future of medical research. Listen in and learn how his research is shedding light on the mysterious world of cancer dormancy in the...

Meet the winner of Animal Free Research UK’s Early Career Scientist Award, Sophie O’Kane, and explore the transformative power of personal experiences and human relationships in driving change. Sophie shares her journey of transitioning from defending animal research to becoming an advocate for animal-free alternatives. This transformation was sparked by a conversation with her Aunt, who challenge...

Step into the world of animal-free research with two promising young scientists, Laura Bramwell and Merlin Davies, who are revolutionising the way we approach medical research. Carla, Laura and Merlin discuss the importance of finding solutions to combat issues related to aging. They explore the role of drug repurposing and share promising findings about a cancer drug that could enhance the immune...

This holiday season, unwrap the gift of our special episode featuring a captivating montage of insights and wisdom from some of our incredible guests. Join your host, Carla, as she takes you on a journey through some of the best moments of the Animal Free Labcast where compassion meets cutting-edge science. Discover the latest in animal-free research, innovative technologies, and the people shapin...

Listen in and join Carla and Dr Adrian Biddle, a passionate cancer researcher at Queen Mary University of London, as they explore cutting-edge cancer research.  Adrian outlines the roadmap from laboratory research to patient applications. While it may take some time, the potential for revolutionary treatments is on the horizon. Discover how Adrian’s work is moving closer towards innovative solutio...

Dr Ali Kermanizadeh, a toxicology and clinical biochemistry lecturer at the University of Derby, shares his scientific journey and passion for toxicology. He highlights his work on advanced in vitro models of the liver and gut as well as the moral dilemma he faced when working on experiments that relied on animal testing as a vegetarian and how he transitioned into working with animal-free alterna...

In this podcast, Carla interviews Davina Simoes, a Northumbria University assistant professor in cell pathology, focused on advancing animal-free research. Listen and learn about the challenges of studying sarcopenia, a condition marked by muscle loss and its connection to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Davina believes that making the shift to animal-free research should align with...

Labcast host Carla, is joined by Animal Free Research 2023 Pioneer Award recipient Dr Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga, celebrated for her work in animal-free innovations. Merel shares her unique insights into the field and talks about the incredible work driving forward a brighter future in the Netherlands. Tune in and be part of the conversation as Merel and Carla discuss transitioning from traditional an...

In this episode, Carla is joined by Martyn Day (MP), a passionate advocate for animals and human progress. They discuss Martyn’s lifelong love for animals and his current role as an MP advocating for animal welfare. Martyn's dedication to both animal rights and medical research is evident. He highlights the urgent need to transition from animal testing to more effective, human-specific resear...

Pandora Pound, author of Rat Trap: The Capture of Medicine by Animal Research and How to Break Free , joins Carla for this episode.  In her new book, Pandora emphasises the need for public awareness and engagement as well as the importance of replacing outdated practices with innovative, human-relevant technologies. She sheds light on the complexities of driving change in research, with a focus on...

British national treasure, Dame Joanna Lumley kicks off series 3 of the Animal Free Labcast in style! In this exclusive interview, the Animal Free Research UK patron tells Carla how strongly she feels that all living creatures have a right to life without pain - and a life of freedom. Joanna talks about where her love of animals comes from, the leaps and bounds made in animal free research, and wh...

The Animal Free Labcast is back! In each episode I’ll be chatting with someone who is helping to make our vision -  of a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering – an ever-closer reality.   We are beyond excited to be kicking off series 3 of our podcast with our fabulous patron Dame Joanna Lumley! The new series launches on the 20 September 2023, so subscribe to the Ani...

It is a little known fact that scientists can cure cancer in mice, but not yet in humans. In this episode, Carla speaks with skin expert Professor Mike Philpott, who heads up the Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London – funded by Animal Free Research UK. At the ARC, Mike and his team are using human relevant methods to study skin, head and neck cancer, all witho...

An Organ on a Plate - not as macabre as it sounds - is a pioneering piece of technology that is replacing the use of animals in laboratories and advancing medical research. Dr Malcolm Wilkinson, founder of company Kirkstall who makes and provides this technology, explains to Carla what it is, how it works, and its huge potential for human-relevant science. Listen to find out how a presentation at...

In this episode, Carla is joined by Dr Martin Ashby – a consultant in palliative care for the NHS and Trustee of Animal Free Research UK. Martin talks to Carla about his frustration at the lack of progress being made for treatments for his patients, something he attributes to the continued focus on substandard animal-based research.  Listen to find out what 80s TV programme sparked Martin’s lifelo...

Dr Jan Turner shares her vivid memories of animal use in her A Level Biology class and beyond, a grim reality that made her uncomfortable throughout her studies and early career. Her aversion to using animals, coupled with the emergence of new human-relevant technologies, has led Jan to being a Product Manager at Axol Bioscience, a supplier of human cells to biotech and pharmacology industries.  ...

Since she started fundraising for Animal Free Research UK, Steph Jones-Giles and the Bude Support Group that she Chairs have raised an incredible £48,000 for the charity. In this episode, Steph shares her passion for fundraising with Carla and explains why it is one of the best bits of her life . Learn about Steph’s motivations for supporting us, her inspirational fundraising successes, and how sh...

In this episode, Carla is joined by Dr Paul Holloway, stroke researcher at the University of Oxford whose fascinating work is funded by Animal Free Research UK. From paint strokes to studying strokes, learn about how Paul’s artistic side helps him find creative new solutions for stroke research that he hopes will contribute to reducing suffering for both patients and animals. They discuss the adva...