Animals Are Not Ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment or abuse in any other way.

PETA Australia
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Australia
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Search Icon
Breakthrough! New 3-D Lung Model To Save Animals Suffering in Labs

Breakthrough! New 3-D Lung Model To Save Animals Suffering in Labs

News / Breakthrough! New 3-D Lung Model To Save Animals Suffering in Labs
6 April 2020

In an impressive scientific breakthrough, funding from the PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has helped lead to the creation of a first-of-its-kind human cell–based 3-dimensional lung model that will be used to study the effects of chemicals and other substances on the deepest part of human lungs.

As many animals are commonly used and killed in inhalation tests, this exciting development has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives. And because humans’ physiology is very different from that of rats and mice, this new human-based model will better predict what happens when we breathe in chemicals.

A photo of a mouse in a lab.

What Is EpiAlveolar?

The Science Consortium provided MatTek Life Sciences with funding that went towards the development of EpiAlveolar™ – a 3-dimensional model composed of human cells from the lower respiratory tract. The cells can be exposed to the test material in the air on one side and can receive nourishment from a nutrient-rich liquid on the other – similar to the workings of a human lung.

EpiAlveolar™ can be used to study the health effects of different kinds of instead of conducting tests in which animals are confined to small tubes and forced to inhale substances for hours, even repeatedly over several months, before being killed.

A photo of a rat in an inhalation tube.

A paper describing the EpiAlveolar™ model and its application to test nanomaterials was recently published in the esteemed scientific journal ACS Nano.

As a part of its larger initiative to replace inhalation toxicity testing on animals, the Science Consortium has also awarded international researchers inhalation exposure devices designed to be used with such cell-based models.

The development of EpiAlveolar™ is the latest scientific breakthrough to come about from funds contributed by the Science Consortium. For example, research funded by the Consortium resulted in the creation of fully human-derived antibodies capable of blocking the toxin that causes diphtheria. These antibodies will replace the antiquated method of injecting horses with diphtheria toxin and draining huge amounts of their blood.

Join the Humane Science Revolution

Right now, countless animals are being cut open, burned, poisoned, and killed in cruel and archaic experiments. Your support today will help spare dogs, cats, mice, monkeys, and other animals such horrors and strengthen our work to promote life-saving, non-animal methods.

Join PETA today and support our vital work for animals:

A photo of a mouse in a lab.

I Want to Support Humane Science

Please join PETA’s “Save Our Skin” Challenge right now!

Donate Now

Recent Press Hits

  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    PETA Urges Councils to Go Vegan for Climate Resilient 
  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Pamplona 2025: What to Expect at the Running of the Bulls
  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Exposé of Indian Laboratory Reveals Bloodied Dogs and Pigs

Get PETA Updates

Sign me up for the following e-mail:
Our collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information is guided by the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles. More information about our privacy policies and practices is available in our privacy policy. That policy also details how you may access, seek correction of and pursue complaints regarding the personal information we hold about you. If you have any queries about these procedures or any aspect of our work, please contact us on (08) 8556 5828 or at [email protected] or write to us at PO Box 20308, World Square, Sydney NSW 2002. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mails unless you explicitly opt out here.
PETA Fist Logo

Connect with PETA

  • Facebook Icon, PETA International
  • Instagram Icon, PETA International
  • Youtube Icon, PETA International

PETA International Logo

Mailing address:
PO Box 20308 World Square Sydney NSW 2002 ACN – 128209923

Info

  • Contact Us
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Donate Now
  • Subscribe to E-News
  • Bequests

Services

  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • © 2025 PETA Australia Pty Ltd. Read our full policy.

International Sites

  • PETA US
  • PETA France
  • PETA Netherlands
  • PETA Germany
  • PETA India
  • PETA UK
  • PETA Asia
  • 亚洲善待动物组织
  • PETA Latino

PETA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all other indigenous peoples.

Registered address: PETA Australia Pty Ltd, 219 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville. SA, 5031