Number of animals used: 2020
Updated 12 July 2021
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The following table provides the numbers of animals used, per species, at our scientific campuses at Porton, Colindale and Chilton, in 2020.
Read more about how and why we use animals in research.
| Site | Mice | Hamsters | Guinea pigs | Rabbits | Ferrets | Turkeys | Non-human primates (NHPs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porton | 1,563 | 100 | 270 | 0 | 304 | 0 | 137 |
| PBL | 65 | 0 | 1,518 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chilton | 2,287 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Colindale | 2 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 |
Porton
All animals were used for the development and testing of vaccines or therapies to counteract infectious diseases that cause a direct threat to human health worldwide. Research activities in 2019 included the development of drugs and vaccines against a wide range of potential viral and bacterial threats.
The maintenance and further refinement of this capability have enabled us to respond in a rapid and effective way to the urgent need to test novel interventions against the newly emerged coronavirus (COVID-19). This has provided a rare capability to international funders such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and gives assurance to the public and government that when a new infectious disease threat emerges, Public Health England (PHE) is well rehearsed in assisting in the development of new countermeasures to protect the population.
Tuberculosis
Studies conducted using the nonhuman primate (macaque) models to evaluate the efficacy of new vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) published during the last year have demonstrated the potential of 2 new regimens and confirmed the clinical relevance of the data obtained.
Detailed characterisation of the models has continued, which is enabling refinement through informed selection of the host species with the most appropriate features for each study. Materials archived from previously conducted studies have been used to assist the development of assays to measure immune markers that are thought to associate with improved outcome of infectious challenge and to assess their capacity as to provide robust correlates of protection.
The use of stored materials has not only added value to previous studies and reduced the need for studies in new animals for these investigations, but could also provide the potential to substantially reduce the number of animals required for infectious challenge studies when the putative correlates of protection are validated.
The maintenance and further refinement of this capability by the TB group has enabled us to respond in a rapid and effective way to the urgent need to test novel interventions against the newly emerged COVID-19. This provides assurance to the public and to government that when a new infectious disease threat emerges PHE is well rehearsed in assisting in the development of new countermeasures to protect the population. Thus, PHE was able to provide a rapid response to support COVID-19 vaccine development (both efficacy and safety) and regulatory approval for vaccines that are now being deployed worldwide.
Publications
A non-human primate in vitro functional assay for the early evaluation of TB vaccine candidates
Influenza
In normal circumstances the influenza project uses ferrets to test the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (FluMist/Fluenz tetra) released for human use by the FDA in the US, and by the EMA in the EU. Virus strains used in the vaccine are recommended seasonally by the World Health Organization (WHO). The team is responsible for performing several assays that aid in the seasonal selection and manufacture of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV).
The Attenuation Assay is a key batch release test for the LAIV which is currently offered to all 2 to 11 year olds in the UK. It is a qualitative test used to identify the attenuation (att) phenotype of vaccine virus. The attenuated phenotype is characterised by detectable viral replication in the nasal turbinates of ferrets, and no or low levels of viral replication in the lung tissue. In contrast, wild-type influenza virus strains typically replicate in both nasal turbinates and lungs of ferrets, without evidence of restriction.
Additionally, Antisera and Immunogenicity Tests are carried out following the WHO recommendations on the composition of influenza virus vaccines for the Southern Hemisphere in preparation for their recommendations for the Northern Hemisphere. These 2 assays aid in the strain selection for the following seasons vaccine. However, due to commitment to COVID-19 related studies, a limited number of studies were conducted in 2020:
- a ferret study using 9 animals generated control sera for the Novavax/PPD HAI study (screening human sera, 3,436 tests); some of this data has been published by Novavax as a pre-print and these control sera will also be used in the much larger upcoming ComFLUCov study
- a ferret study using 26 animals provided vaccine efficacy testing for Osivax but no efficacy was observed
SARS CoV-2
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PHE Porton developed the first animal models in ferrets and NHPs in the UK. These models were used to test the safety and efficacy of a number of clinical stage vaccines, including the successful Oxford/AstraZeneca product.
Data from these preclinical studies has played a critical role in the licensure of COVID-19 vaccines that are essential in playing a key role in the national and international response to the pandemic. As ferrets and macaques develop a mild form of disease, hamsters were used during 2020 to develop an alternative model of COVID-19 that shows disease more relevant to higher levels of disease seen in clinical cases. This model will be used to demonstrate efficacy of treatments applied after infection.
Publications
Comparison of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques as an infection model for COVID-19
Intranasal infection of ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 as a model for asymptomatic human infection
Porton Biopharma Limited (PBL)
PBL’s work is focused on quality-assured development of life-saving biopharmaceuticals. We manufacture the licensed product Erwinase, a childhood leukaemia therapy, and the UK’s licensed anthrax vaccine. As part of the licence, there is a requirement to undertake a limited number of animal tests to ensure that each batch of the vaccine is safe and effective. This involves mainly mice and guinea pigs, with more than half of this work classified as mild or moderate, whilst the remainder was classified as severe. Work is ongoing to replace such work with tests of mild severity using fewer animals.
Chilton
During 2020, PHE Chilton used a total of 2,287 mice in the projects detailed below. The majority of these animals suffered no or mild harm, with some suffering moderate harm.
Radiation
Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease
A total of 102 mice were used to begin investigations on the effect of age on radiation-induced heart disease. This included breeding all of the mice that will be needed for the first study, plus the ageing, treatment (with X-rays or sham control) and collection of data from half of the animals.
Biological effects of electromagnetic fields
A total of 62 mice were used to study the effect of magnetic fields on the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), which involved tracking sleep and activity behaviours during magnetic field exposures prior to examining changes in the expression of genes controlling circadian rhythm.
Radiation-induced leukaemogenesis
A total of 1,587 mice were used to examine how radiation can lead to the development of leukaemia. Most of these mice (1,400 mice) were used for breeding in preparation for producing embryos for cold storage, which began in January 2021. While this was nearly double the number of breeding mice in a typical year (approximately 800), this has enabled 4 out of 5 mouse strains to be stored so maintenance breeding will not be required when the strains are not in use. This will significantly reduce the number of animals used in the future.
The remaining mice were used in a pilot study investigating the effect of fasting on the risk of radiation-induced leukaemia, and a PhD project looking at novel cell signalling pathways in the development of radiation-induced leukaemia. Refinements have been made to this latter project so that sufficient data is collected by one year post-irradiation, meaning that animals no longer have to be followed for their lifespan.
Radiation sensitivity of the eye to radiation-induced cataracts
A total of 90 mice were used to complete data sets for studies investigating the early, short term biological effects of low dose ionising radiation on cells within the lens. This involved measuring changes linked to cataract formation, including DNA damage, cell growth, and lens opacity (clouding). Three papers from this project were published this year:
Radiation toxicity of inhaled environmental particles
A total of 26 mice received diesel exhaust and dust mite particles and 7 mice received control saline solution in their noses to further investigate how diesel particulates may induce and/or worsen airway inflammation and allergic airway disease. A paper from previous related work under this project was published this year:
Radiation-induced intestinal carcinogenesis
A total of 413 mice were bred and used in experimental studies where they were exposed to one or two doses of X-rays at different ages (2, 10, 30, 45 or 90 days). The number of intestinal tumours that result from these different doses will be counted and compared to provide information on what effect splitting radiation doses has on radiation-induced tumour numbers.
Colindale
Mice
In total, 2 mice were used for the detection of bacterial toxin assay (C Botulinum and C Tetani). This test is exclusively for testing clinical samples taken from patients that are suspected to have contracted the bacteria.
Ferrets
In total, 8 ferrets were used to produce antisera for new and emerging strains of influenza, this work contributes to UK influenza vaccine development.
Turkeys
In total, 12 turkeys were used to supply normal red blood cells to be used in influenza assays. As a reduction and refinement, the birds are reused.
Guinea pigs
In total, 42 guinea pigs were used in 2020. Guinea pig red blood cells are used for influenza H3 subtype assays and we also use their red blood cells in serology studies to determine the level of immune response in humans.