3-day meetings

The 3-day MRF meetings are arranged by the Scientific Steering Committee, which compiles a comprehensive scientific programme targeting relevant and contemporary topics. Attendance is optional but highly recommended, as this presents a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge on Göttingen Minipigs in biomedical research, whether you are a newcomer to minipigs or have years of experience.

Below you can see topics from previous MRF meetings.

The Minipig Research Forum 2025

Keynote presentation: Pig omics technologies to uncover molecular mechanisms in health and disease

Session titles:

  • Göttingen Minipigs in Metabolism Research
  • Practical challenges and solutions with dosing and evaluating minipigs – an interactive session
  • Species selection – requirements, case stories, and rising models

Breakout sessions:

  • Agony Aunt: Tackling practical challenges in minipig research
  • Intracerebral administration in Göttingen Minipigs: anatomical considerations


The Minipigs Research Forum 2024

Keynote presentation: Exploring translational immunology, SLA genetics and regulatory frameworks in xenotransplantation

Session titles:

  • Application of disease and efficacy models in Göttingen Minipigs
  • Göttingen Minipigs DMPK data in species selection and translatability
  • Göttingen Minipigs in safety pharmacology
  • The use of imaging applications in Göttingen Minipigs in drug and medical devices research

Breakout sessions:

  • Different techniques of collecting ECG data and use of infusion systems (continuing education)
  • Potential and limitations of IgG Humanized Göttingen Minipigs in development of new antibody therapies (interactive discussion)


The Minipigs Research Forum 2023

Keynote presentation: Introducing the Göttingen Micropig

Session titles:

  • Göttingen Minipigs used in advanced therapeutics
  • Biomarkers in Göttingen Minipigs
  • Animal welfare – next level
  • Göttingen Minipigs in drug formulation development

Breakout sessions:

  • Non-standard sampling in the minipig: Example of brain microdialysis
  • Rehoming of minipigs: Discussion of regulations, challenges, and solutions


The Minipigs Research Forum 2022

Welcome Lecture: Developing clinically relevant models of self-poisoning in Göttingen Minipigs at the Edinburgh Large Animal Facility

Session titles:

  • Nutrition and metabolism
  • Juvenile and reproductive toxicology
  • Pharmacological models
  • Immune system
  • Pain: Models and management

Breakout sessions:

  • Dosing and sampling
  • Monitoring and improving welfare

The Minipig Research Forum was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.


The Minipig Research Forum 2019

Welcome lecture: Porcine models of obesity, diabetes and diabetes complications – applications & gaps

Session titles:

  • Toxicology
  • Transgenic models
  • Animal training & welfare
  • Better understanding of Göttingen Minipigs
  • Immune System

Workshops:

  • Species selection in regulatory toxicology
  • Designing regulatory toxicology studies
  • Identifying disease model gaps


The Minipig Research Forum 2018

Session titles:

  • Species selection
  • Analytical methods & biomarkers
  • Imaging & devices
  • Disease Models

Workshops:

  • Tips & tricks
  • Species selection
  • Analytical methods

For information on content from previous meetings and access to download presentation slides, please log in and go to the members area.