Inside the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research
In the intricate world of biomedical discovery, a single laboratory mouse can hold the key to saving millions of human lives.
Explore the StoryWhen we celebrate medical breakthroughs—from cutting-edge mRNA vaccines to new cancer treatments—we often overlook the silent partners that made these discoveries possible: the laboratory animals. Behind the scenes of these advancements stands an organization dedicated to ensuring that this critical research is conducted responsibly and ethically.
For nearly seven decades, the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) has served as the moral and scientific compass guiding the humane and effective use of animals in science, shaping the landscape of modern medicine in ways most of us never see.
Established in 1953, the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research is a unit within the prestigious U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. At a time when biomedical research using animals was still in its infancy, ILAR emerged to address the growing need for standards and guidance. Its mission is to "evaluate and to report on scientific, technological, and ethical use of animals and related biological resources" in research, testing, and education 6 .
ILAR functions as what those in the scientific community call a "neutral broker"—an honest broker seeking consensus and common ground among researchers, veterinarians, ethicists, and policymakers 1 . Imagine an organization that simultaneously champions both scientific progress and animal welfare, recognizing that these goals, far from being contradictory, are actually intertwined. This balanced approach has made ILAR an indispensable resource in the scientific world.
To evaluate and report on scientific, technological, and ethical use of animals in research, testing, and education.
Using non-animal methods whenever possible to achieve the same scientific aim.
Minimizing the number of animals used while still obtaining valid results.
Improving techniques to minimize pain, suffering, and distress for animals.
These principles have become the gold standard in ethical research worldwide, influencing how scientists design their studies and care for their animal subjects 6 .
ILAR's journey reflects the changing landscape of science and ethics. Originally founded as the Institute of Animal Resources in 1953, it was renamed the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources in 1956 before settling on its current name 6 . This evolution in terminology mirrors a deeper shift—from seeing animals merely as "resources" to recognizing them as subjects in "research" deserving of ethical consideration.
In 2022, ILAR underwent another significant transformation, becoming the Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research (BAHSCR) within the National Academies 1 . This change reflects an expanding mandate that now includes conservation alongside traditional laboratory animal science.
Founded as Institute of Animal Resources
Renamed Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources
Published influential guides and the ILAR Journal
Transitioned to Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research
Throughout its history, ILAR has maintained influential publications, most notably the ILAR Journal, which for decades served as a vital source of peer-reviewed information on laboratory animal science before pausing publication with its 62nd volume 1 . The organization also produces authoritative guides and reports that have become essential reading for researchers worldwide, though these have occasionally sparked debate, such as when the American Psychological Association critiqued one guide as reading too much like requirements rather than recommendations 6 .
To understand ILAR's impact on modern medicine, we need look no further than the recent development of mRNA vaccines. Much of the foundational work that made COVID-19 vaccines possible relied on animal research conducted under the humane principles that ILAR champions. One crucial experiment, conducted by researchers at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, illustrates this perfectly.
Scientists sought to understand how to make therapeutic mRNA molecules more stable inside cells—a crucial hurdle for developing effective mRNA vaccines and treatments 2 .
Researchers discovered that the enzyme TENT5A plays a vital role in protecting therapeutic mRNA by extending its poly(A) tails 2 .
Researchers worked with genetically similar laboratory mice, some possessing the normal TENT5A gene and others with this gene deactivated 2 .
Both groups of mice were exposed to synthetic mRNA similar to that used in vaccines. The team used sophisticated molecular tools to track how long the mRNA persisted inside cells.
By comparing mRNA survival between the two groups, scientists could pinpoint the exact role of the TENT5A enzyme in stabilizing mRNA molecules.
Special attention was paid to the poly(A) tails—protective endings on mRNA molecules that function like the plastic tips on shoelaces, preventing degradation 2 .
The experiment yielded crucial insights. Researchers discovered that the enzyme TENT5A plays a vital role in protecting therapeutic mRNA by extending its poly(A) tails 2 . These protective endings help keep mRNA stable inside cells, allowing it to persist long enough to produce the proteins that trigger immune protection.
This discovery helped explain why COVID-19 vaccines proved so effective and opened possibilities for designing even better mRNA-based treatments for other diseases 2 . Without such carefully controlled animal research, conducted under rigorous ethical standards, the rapid development of life-saving vaccines during the pandemic would not have been possible.
The following data illustrates the types of measurements and comparisons central to this groundbreaking experiment:
| Experimental Group | mRNA Half-life (Hours) | Poly(A) Tail Length (Nucleotides) | Protein Production Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal mice (with TENT5A) | 12.4 | 150-200 | High |
| Modified mice (without TENT5A) | 4.2 | 50-100 | Low |
| First Nucleotide | Immune Response Level | Cell Stress Markers | Suggested Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adenosine | High | Low | Vaccines for robust immunity |
| Guanosine | Moderate | High | Therapies requiring modulated response |
| Species | Genetic Similarity to Humans | Typical Research Applications | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Mouse | 99% | Immunology, cancer, genetics | Small size, well-mapped genome |
| Zebrafish | 70% | Developmental biology, genetics | Transparent embryos, rapid breeding |
| Rats | ~90% | Neuroscience, toxicology | Larger size for procedures |
Behind every successful experiment lies an array of specialized research reagents. These chemical tools enable scientists to probe, measure, and understand biological processes with precision. In the mRNA experiment featured above, and throughout laboratory animal research, certain reagent categories prove indispensable:
When selecting these critical tools, scientists must consider several factors. Purity level is paramount—high-precision experiments require analytical grade reagents to maintain integrity . Compatibility with existing experimental systems, regulatory compliance for specific research fields, and the reputation of suppliers all play crucial roles in ensuring reliable, reproducible results .
As we look to the future, the principles championed by ILAR remain more relevant than ever. The organization's influence extends far beyond individual experiments, shaping entire research paradigms. Through its workshops, consensus studies, and guidance documents, ILAR continues to foster dialogue between competing interests in the scientific community 1 6 .
Years of Ethical Guidance
Global Ethical Standard
Transition to BAHSCR
The transition from ILAR to the Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research signals an expanding scope that now includes wildlife conservation alongside traditional laboratory science 1 . This evolution recognizes that the ethical principles and scientific expertise developed for laboratory settings can benefit animal health and conservation more broadly.
"Even the most advanced non-animal methods, such as organoids, cannot fully replicate the complexity of development and functioning of a living organism" 2 .
Recent studies continue to demonstrate the irreplaceable value of animal research conducted to high ethical standards. From understanding the molecular mechanisms of aging to developing treatments for congenital diseases, animal models help answer questions that alternative methods cannot yet address 2 4 .
The story of ILAR is ultimately one of balance—between scientific progress and ethical responsibility, between human benefit and animal welfare. For nearly seventy years, this unassuming institute has worked to ensure that the essential animal research behind medical breakthroughs is conducted with both scientific rigor and moral conscience.
The next time you hear about a medical breakthrough—whether a new vaccine, cancer treatment, or therapy for rare diseases—remember that behind that headline often lies years of careful work with laboratory animals, work guided by organizations like ILAR that strive to make science better, smarter, and more humane. In the delicate intersection of human health and animal welfare, ILAR has proven that scientific progress and ethical responsibility can, and must, walk hand in hand.
For those interested in learning more about current standards and guidelines for laboratory animal research, the National Academies' Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research (formerly ILAR) continues to provide resources and updated information to guide the scientific community.