This project provides a nuanced philosophical analysis of the role of animal models in translational research, especially in neuroscience where new alternative methods like organoids have limitations.

It explores how different model types contribute to knowledge generation and where differences between species and other scientific uncertainties can threaten translation from animal experiments to human contexts.

The project explores how selected aspects of complex disorders are operationalized into measurable traits in animal experiments, as well as how translational inferences are also made from mechanistic insights from animal studies to human medicine.

The project combines methods in philosophy of science with ethnographic observation in labs and qualitative interviews with practicing scientists.

This project will be primarily hosted at Copenhagen University with Sara, and secondments are planned with Lisa at Radboud University and the University of Porto with Patricia. 

You can find out more about Sara’s research here: https://researchprofiles.ku.dk/en/persons/sara-green