The AnimALT-ZEBET Database: A Unique Resource for Comprehensive and Value-Added Information on 3R Alternatives

Evaluation of value-added databases represents the most reasonable starting point for any structured search for information on suitable alternative methods. This source provides clear, comprehensive and reliable reviews on the most advanced procedures with relevance to the 3R concept.At the forefront of these essential resources is the AnimAlt-ZEBET database offered by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and accessible online free of charge. The documents of this database compiled by scientific experts provide selected and condensed high-quality information in compliance with specific requirements of scientists, competent authorities and others who are obliged to consider the applicability of specific alternative methods. Thus, the focus of AnimAlt-ZEBET is on (1) essential technical key points, (2) application domains, (3) advances/limitations of the most elaborate protocols, (4) prediction models, (5) opinion(s) of expert panels (e.g. ESAC; ICCVAM), (6) status of validation and acceptance and, most notably, (7) contribution of the respective methods to 3R. Because the documents of the database are written in a structured manner, they can be used as the feedstock for any up-to-date text mining application, like "semantic landscape"-producing tools. The database currently holds some 140 documents focusing on safety testing of chemicals and drugs, but soon will be expanded to basic sciences as well