The Universitat Jaume I and Semicrol, S.L. transform scientific research with the reuse of biological samples
The free animal sample management platform aRukon, which has also incorporated donations, connects researchers and promotes a sustainable science model
image: Reducing the number of animals used in experimentation is a key challenge in research. To address this issue, the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló and the company Semicrol, S.L. have developed aRukon, an innovative platform that facilitates the reuse of biological samples stored in laboratories around the world. aRukon has revolutionised the way researchers manage and share their samples. Its free sample manager is available globally and allows users to manage, catalogue and reuse tissues, biological fluids and genetic material. The platform optimises their use, guarantees traceability, improves storage and facilitates collaboration between scientists. In the image, Professor Burgos in his laboratory at the public university of Castellón.
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Credit: Universitat Jaume I of Castellón
Reducing the number of animals used in experimentation is a key challenge in research. To address this issue, the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló and the company Semicrol, S.L. have developed aRukon, an innovative platform that facilitates the reuse of biological samples stored in laboratories around the world.
aRukon has revolutionised the way researchers manage and share their samples. Its free sample manager is available globally and allows users to manage, catalogue and reuse tissues, biological fluids and genetic material. The platform optimises their use, guarantees traceability, improves storage and facilitates collaboration between scientists.
As part of its commitment to the reuse of scientific resources, aRukon has launched a new feature: sample donations. This tool allows researchers who no longer need tissues, biological fluids or genetic material to donate them to other professionals at no cost. In addition, aRukon will cover transport costs to remove barriers to reuse and promote more sustainable and collaborative research.
The next step in its development will be the launch of the marketplace, a tool that will enable the purchase, sale and exchange of biological samples between institutions. Its aim is to maximise the use of these resources and thus reduce the number of animals used in research, without compromising scientific progress.
With this tool, aRukon offers innovative solutions to the different audiences involved. It facilitates collaboration and synergy between groups by optimising resources and adding value to samples that have already been extracted. It allows public and private institutions and administrations to better manage samples from all their staff in real time, generate profits by selling unused material and optimise space in their laboratories.
It also promotes the implementation of innovative policies in public administrations to effectively reduce the use of experimental animals and respond to growing social demand for more ethical and sustainable science.
"The future of research lies in optimising the resources we already have. The reuse of biological samples is not only a question of efficiency, but also of ethics and sustainability", explained researcher Javier S. Burgos, project manager and coordinator of the BIOTRANSFER - Applied Biomedicine Research Group at the UJI.
The platform has brought together researchers from institutions such as the University of Valencia, Université Côte d'Azur (France), Carleton University (Canada), Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland) and the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre (CSIC). Its development has been funded by the R&D&I Programme in Strategic Lines in public-private collaboration of the State Research Agency of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, within the 2022 call for proposals.
aRukon continues to grow and add researchers from around the world to its mission for more ethical, sustainable and collaborative science.