THE MINIPIG RESEARCH FORUM 2023
This year, the MRF 2023 was held from 10 to 12 May at the NH Schiphol Hotel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
22 knowledgeable speakers presented recent scientific results and experiences on the topics:
- Göttingen Minipigs used in advanced therapeutics
- Biomarkers in Göttingen Minipigs
- Animal welfare - next level
- Göttingen Minipigs in drug formulation development
Furthermore, the participants could choose from one of these two breakout sessions:
- Non-standard sampling in the minipig: Example of brain microdialysis
- Rehoming of minipigs: Discussion of regulations, challenges, and solutions
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting this year’s MRF meeting and we look forward to welcoming you for the 16th Minipig Research Forum in 2024.
The Minipig Research Forum 2022
The 14th MRF meeting was held 18-20 May 2022 at the Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S' breeding and research facility in Dalmose, Denmark.
22 inspiring speakers presented recent scientific results and shared knowledge and experiences on the topics:
- Nutrition and Metabolism
- Juvenile and Reproductive Toxicology
- Pharmacological Models
- Immune System
- Pain Models and Management
The conference was kicked off by a welcome lecture entitled "Developing clinically relevant models of self-poisoning in Göttingen Minipigs at the Edinburgh Large Animal Facility".
During the conference, the participants could choose between the following break-out sessions:
- Dosing and Sampling
- Training and Monitoring Welfare
Thanks to everyone for making this yet another successful MRF Meeting! We look forward to seeing you again in 2023!
The Minipig Research Forum 2019
The 13th MRF meeting welcomed 105 participants to the annual meeting which was held 22-24 May 2019 in Vienna, Austria.
This year, we had the most comprehensive scientific programme in the MRF history with 20 inspiring speakers who presented recent scientific results and shared knowledge and experiences on the topics:
Toxicology
Transgenic models
Animal training & welfare
Better understanding of Göttingen Minipigs
Immune System
The conference was kicked off by a welcome lecture entitled "Porcine models of obesity, diabetes and diabetes complications - applications and gaps".
During the conference, the participants could choose from one of these workshops:
Species selection in regulatory toxicology
Designing regulatory toxicology studies
Identifying disease model gaps
12 posters were presented, and the winner of the poster award was Céline Vaure of Sanofi Pasteur, France, who presented the poster entitled "Göttingen Minipigs as an Immunogenicity Model for Pertussis Vaccine Evaluation", co-authored by Véronique Gregoire-Barou, Christelle Serraille, Catherine Caillet, Yuanqing Liu* (*corresponding author).
THE MINIPIG RESEARCH FORUM MEETING 2018
The 12th MRF meeting took place in Barcelona, Spain, on 16-18 May 2018 and welcomed 101 participants from 16 countries.
The meeting had 4 topic sessions, totalling 16 scientific presentations:
- Analytical methods & biomarkers
- Imaging & devices
- Species selection
- Disease models
As well as 3 workshops:
- Tips & Tricks
- Species selection
- Analytical methods
Please visit the MRF Meeting 2018 Program & Presentation page to view available presentations and summaries of workshops (members only).
In addition, 12 scientific posters were presented, and this year's poster award winner was Charlotte Bunnage of GSK, UK: Well done and congratulations once more: We look forward to welcoming Charlotte at the MRF 2019 for a free registration!
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting this year’s MRF meeting.
To all participants: Thank you for joining yet another successful MRF meeting – we look forward to seeing you again next year. Mark your calendar already now: 22-24 May 2019 in Vienna, Austria.
If you have questions or comments/suggestions for coming MRFs, do not hesistate to contact us at contact@minipigresearchforum.org.
Minipig Research Forum Steering Committee
The Minipig Research Forum Meeting 2017
The 11th MRF meeting welcomed just above 100 registered participants to the annual meeting which was held in Cambridge, UK.
16 inspiring speakers presented valuable information on the topics:
- Safety Pharmacology
- Pain, Behavior and Animal Welfare
- Disease Models
The program included the workshops “Safety Pharmacology: Working with the minipig – our untold truths”, “Technical sessions” and “CONFIRM: Immunological safety research in minipigs”. Additionally, 15 exciting posters were presented.
Many of the scientific presentations are available by logging on to the Minipig Research Forum website.
Again this year we launched the MRF meeting with a get-together evening with food and drinks where attendees had an excellent opportunity to network.
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting this year’s MRF meeting.
Thank you for joining yet another successful MRF meeting – we look forward to seeing you again next year.
Mark your calendar already now: 16th to 18th of May 2018.
The Minipig Research Forum Meeting 2016
In 2016 the Minipig Research Forum welcomed more than 100 registered participants to its annual meeting in Copenhagen. A group of twenty excellent speakers presented valuable information on the following topics: Immunology and vaccine testing in the Minipig, Minipig ophthalmology as well as Juvenile and embryofetal development studies in the Minipig.
The programme also included various posters and workshops: ”Importance of perioperative pain management in Minipigs… All you always wanted to know and never dared to ask”, "Immunotoxicity evaluation in the Minipig" and ”Three ways to improve public understanding and acceptance of bio-medical research using animals”, where attendees could share their knowledge and experiences.
Many of the scientific presentations are available by logging on to the Minipig Research Forum website.
The organizers also arranged a guided canal tour through Copenhagen, where we by boat passed some of the city’s attractions. The conference dinner took place at the Royal Theater and offered delicious seasonal food from Denmark.
Prior to the actual start of the MRF meeting there was a “get-together” event with evening buffet, food and drinks at Axelborg’s top floor offering a great view of Copenhagen city. The dinner and get-together event gave the attendees an excellent opportunity to network.
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting this year's MRF meeting.
Thank you for joining this year’s MRF meeting; we look forward to seeing you again next year.
The Minipig Research Forum Meeting 2015
In 2015, the Minipig Research Forum welcomed more than 80 attendees to its annual meeting in Rome. Fourteen speakers presented valuable information on the following topics: the use of Minipigs in development of anti-cancer products; models of metabolic characterization of test compounds in the Minipig; and efficacy testing of medical devices on Minipigs.
Among others, there was a presentation on gene expression in different tissues from Göttingen Minipigs during organ development from young to old Minipigs.
The programme also included workshops where attendees could share their knowledge and experience on Minipigs in the development of anti-cancer products, metabolism and blood sampling, and training, respectively.
Many of the scientific presentations are available by logging on to the Minipig Research Forum website.
The organizers also arranged a guided tour through the centre of Rome, where we passed some of the city’s most famous attractions. The conference dinner took place in a restaurant with a view of the Colosseum. The restaurant offered copious amounts of delicious traditional Italian cuisine, and the dinner gave the attendees an opportunity to network.
The MRF Meeting 2014
In 2014, we organised a joint meeting with the British Society of Toxicological Pathology (BSTP) and the Association of Comparative Clinical Pathology (ACCP).
The main topic for this meeting was "Rational Selection of the Non-Rodent Species: Toxicology, Pathology and Relevance to Man" and there were several informative presentations focusing on the Minipig.
The meeting took place on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th November 2014 at the Alderley Park Conference Centre in Cheshire, UK.
The meeting addressed the various factors to be considered when choosing the second species and provided a comparative overview of the relative benefits of each non-rodent species. The scientific programme included a poster session, interactive case presentations, a trade exhibition and sponsor presentations.
The meeting included the following Minipig-specific presentations:
"Minipigs in the safety assessment of drugs" - Peter Glerup, CiToxLAB Scantox
"Minipigs or primates in the safety assessment of Biopharmaceuticals?" - Warren Harvey, Charles River Laboratories
"The skin of the Minipig: Arguments for selection as a non-rodent species in dermal studies" - Beatrice Gauthier, Galderma
"Onset of sexual maturity in female Göttingen Minipigs & Consequences in toxicological studies" - Birgit Peter, WIL Research or Helle Lorentsen, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs
Please contact the MRF if you need further information about this meeting or if you would like to register.