From the beginning of 2024, a new national law on animal protection in Finland (1165/2023 3 §) requires laboratory rodent ear notching to be performed only with "appropriate pain relief". However, the European Union directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (2010/63/EU) classifies ear notching as a routine identification method rather than a procedure, leaving no specific guidelines on suitable analgesia at the EU or the national level. This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of a lidocaine-based cream as analgesia (EMLA cream 5%, lidocaine + prilocaine 25+25 mg/g, Aspen Pharmacare Australia) for mice undergoing ear notching.

Learn more

The main aim of the study was to examine the correlation of ocular hypertension with morphological, functional and behavioural parameters in the mouse magnetic microbead glaucoma model.

Learn more

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, is characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and damage to the optic nerve. Neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), have been extensively studied for their potential to promote RGC survival and axonal regeneration. However, BDNF's efficacy is restricted by receptor desensitization, while CNTF alone often induces inflammation and gliosis, limiting its therapeutic potential. This study was aimed at evaluating if a combination of BDNF and CNTF offers synergistic effects, providing superior neuroprotection as compared to either factor alone.

Learn more

Intravitreally injected phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is known to decrease neovascularization in the mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model, and it is commonly used as a vehicle control in preclinical studies evaluating therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of intravitreally (IVT) administered PBS on neovascularization and revascularization at various timepoints after OIR induction. Aflibercept (Eylea®) was used as a reference control.

Learn more

Cornea is a tight barrier restricting topically administered drugs’ penetration into the eye. The aim of the study was to create a tight epithelial barrier both with primary and with transformed human corneal cells on a 96-well microfluidic platform.

Learn more

Limited treatment options for patients with geographic atrophy (GA) pose challenges to find proper positive controls in preclinical models. This study aimed to test the efficacy of subconjunctival administration of triamcinolone in a laser-induced mouse model of GA.

Learn more

This study aimed at comparing blue light-induced retinal injury in albino Balb/cJRj and pigmented C57BL/6JRj mice.

Learn more