Advances in Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives: Proceedings of the Third International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress, Vishakhapatnam, 2022.

Animal experimentation has been integral to drug discovery and development and safety assessment for many years, since it provides insights into the mechanisms of drug efficacy and toxicity (e.g. pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics). However, due to species differences in physiology, metabolism and sensitivity to drugs, the animal models can often fail to replicate the effects of drugs and chemicals in human patients, workers and consumers. Researchers across the globe are increasingly applying the Three Rs principles by employing innovative methods in research and testing. The Three Rs concept focuses on: the replacement of animal models (e.g. with in vitro and in silico models or human studies), on the reduction of the number of animals required to achieve research objectives, and on the refinement of existing experimental practices (e.g. eliminating distress and enhancing animal wellbeing). For the last two years, Oncoseek Bio-Acasta Health, a 3-D cell culture-based cutting-edge translational biotechnology company, has organised an annual International Conference on 3Rs Research and Progress. This series of global conferences aims to bring together researchers with diverse expertise and interests, and provides a platform where they can share and discuss their research to promote practices according to the Three Rs principles. In November 2022, the 3rd international conference, Advances in Animal Models and Cutting-Edge Research in Alternatives, took place at the GITAM University in Vishakhapatnam (AP, India) in a hybrid format (i.e. online and in-person). These conference proceedings provide details of the presentations, which were categorised under five different topic sessions. It also describes a special interactive session on in silico strategies for preclinical research in oncology, which was held at the end of the first day.

Simultaneous Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms in a Mixture by Multiplex PCR-Chip Capillary Electrophoresis.

An efficient PCR-based method to trace genetically modified food and feed products is in demand due to regulatory requirements and contaminant issues in India. However, post-PCR detection with conventional methods has limited sensitivity in amplicon separation that is crucial in multiplexing. The study aimed to develop a sensitive post-PCR detection method by using PCR-chip capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CCE) to detect and identify specific genetically modified organisms in their genomic DNA mixture by targeting event-specific nucleotide sequences. Using the PCR-CCE approach, novel multiplex methods were developed to detect MON531 cotton, EH 92-527-1 potato, Bt176 maize, GT73 canola, or GA21 maize simultaneously when their genomic DNAs in mixtures were amplified using their primer mixture. The repeatability RSD (RSDr) of the peak migration time was 0.06 and 3.88% for the MON531 and Bt176, respectively. The RSD (RSDR) of the Cry1Ac peak ranged from 0.12 to 0.40% in multiplex methods. The method was sensitive in resolving amplicon of size difference up to 4 bp. The PCR-CCE method is suitable to detect multiple genetically modified events in a composite DNA sample by tagging their event specific sequences.

Affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides using metal chelate methacrylate monolithic disk for targeted LC-MS/MS approach in high-throughput proteomics.

In recent years, bottom-up approach has become the popular method of choice for large scale analysis of complex proteome samples. Peptide fractionation determines the efficiency of the bottom-up method and often the resolving power of reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is insufficient for efficient protein identification in case of complex biological samples. To overcome the inherent limitation of proteomics associated with sample complexity, we evaluated fast flow metal chelate methacrylate monolithic system - CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disk chelated with Cu(II) for targeted affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides. Initially the Cu(II)-IMAC using CIM disk was evaluated using tryptic digest of protein mixtures of 8 model proteins and was found to be highly efficient in capturing His-containing peptides with high degree of specificity and selectivity. Further the efficiency of His-peptide enrichment using CIM-IMAC was also demonstrated using complex biological samples like total Escherichia coli cell lysate. The analysis of the Cu(II)-IMAC retained peptides from tryptic digests of model protein mixture and E. coli not only demonstrated a significant reduction in sample complexity but also subsequently enabled the identification of additional peptides. His-peptide enrichment also enabled the identification of low abundant proteins that were not detected in the analysis of total E. coli digest.