Ulm University has established a one-year visiting professorship for the Animal Research Centre (TFZ). The professorship goes to the veterinarian Dr Kurt Reifenberg, an internationally renowned expert in experimental animal husbandry. "Our aim is to establish an experimental animal science quality management system in accordance with international standards. In the medium term, we want to achieve international certification for animal husbandry," says Professor Thomas Wirth, Dean of the Medical Faculty at Ulm University, which is one of the main users of the TFZ.

Despite great progress in the development of animal replacement and modelling methods, animal experiments are still indispensable in the life sciences. This applies in particular to research into complex clinical pictures, which require an understanding of systemic relationships that go far beyond individual organ systems. "At the same time, the highest legal standards apply to animal welfare, which we have to fulfil, and we want to do so," says Kurt Reifenberg. With the help of the visiting professor, the University wants to prepare quality management in animal husbandry and laboratory animal use for international certification.

Kurt Reifenberg studied at the University of Munich and gained his doctorate. From 1989 to 1999, he was a veterinarian and Animal Welfare Officer at Ulm University and is therefore very familiar with animal husbandry in Ulm. He then moved to Mainz, where he was Head of Animal Husbandry at Johannes Gutenberg University from 1999 to 2012 and was awarded an honorary professorship. In 2013, the veterinarian took over as Head of Office for Animal Husbandry at the German Cancer Research Centre. On 1 May, Reifenberg will now move to Ulm University as a visiting professor and head the Animal Research Centre. The new head and visiting professor's expertise in laboratory animal science lies in particular in the field of rodent genetics and breeding as well as animal model-based cancer research. The veterinary surgeon is a "Diplomate" of the European College of Veterinary Laboratory Animal Medicine and has completed a postgraduate veterinary specialisation in laboratory animal science there.

Professorship emphasises the importance of animal research and animal welfare

"With this professorship, Ulm University is underlining the importance of experimental animal research and animal welfare for the future development of this excellent life sciences location," says University President Professor Michael Weber. Ulm University is very strong in research. In Medicine alone, there are three Collaborative Research Centres funded by the German Research Foundation: in trauma research, ageing research and research into the therapeutic effects of the body's own proteins.

The Animal Research Centre is a central facility of Ulm University for supporting life science research. The TFZ is responsible for the procurement, keeping and breeding of laboratory animals as well as for advising and supporting all female scientists working in animal experiments in the planning and implementation of their projects. The central task here is to safeguard all animal welfare concerns. A total of 58 employees work at the TFZ, including animal keepers and veterinarians. "I am very much looking forward to my new role in Ulm and to working well with you," said Reifenberg at the TFZ meeting in March, where he introduced himself to the staff.

Ulm University is a member of the 3R network of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The abbreviation 3R stands for “Replace, Reduce and Refine” animal experiments. 
Since 2020, the Ministry of Science in Stuttgart has been supporting the development of the state-wide network with around 6.8 million euros to date. Ulm University shares 750,000 euros of this with KIT and Furtwangen University for the establishment of their respective 3R centres, which were added in 2024. The focus in Ulm is on the development of organoids to be used as animal replacement models, as well as on optimising post-operative care and improving training; (akad. ) education.

Further information: 
Prof. Dr. Kurt Reifenberg, Ulm University, Head of Animal Research Centre, e-mail: kurt.reifenberg(at)uni-ulm.de

Further information from the MWK can be found here!

Text and media contact: Andrea Weber-Tuckermann