The goal of this work package is to improve the quality and relevance of mechanistic studies by broadening their focus to include surrounding factors, instead of focusing on mechanisms only. This will be achieved through measurable steps within each subproject to enhance animal and cell culture model accuracy, better reflecting real-world conditions, and through incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives for better model selection and use.

We would like to to shift away from narrow, single-focus mechanistic studies and instead consider the broader context. This involves reflecting on and adapting study conditions, clarifying model features, and making choices based on interdisciplinary and translational goals. The WP focuses on model systems like animals and cell cultures, with the intention of developing more naturalistic study systems over time. Each project will start with current, advanced models to address specific research questions (e.g., operationalizing behavior in animal models for ASD or backward translation in MS).

This work includes projects of doctoral candidates at Radboud University under the supervision of Lisa Genzel, at Amsterdam UMC under the supervision of Linda Douw, at the University of Copenhagen with Sara Green and at the University of Porto in the group of Patricia Monteiro, with secondments and interactions throughout the network and associated partners.

The work package involves the collaboration between neuroscientists and philosophers of biology to promote critical discussion on experimental design and translation, as well as dissemination of insights from these practices to wider academic and non-academic audiences.