Towards replacing animal models in biomedical research with 3D cellular models? An embedded ethical analysis

Organoids are advanced 3D models replicating organs or aspects of development, widely used in biomedical research. However, they raise ethical concerns, particularly with embryo and brain organoids. These models challenge traditional legal and ethical frameworks, especially as they are increasingly used as alternatives to animal models in research. Political pressure for reduced animal use is pushing regulatory changes, such as the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, to integrate in vitro models into clinical trials. Nantes University aims to lead in personalized and ...

More information : https://amethis.doctorat.org/amethis-client/prd/consulter/offre/750

Today, there are urgent needs of profiles capable of understanding the medical challenges in their entirety rather than from a strictly health or social point of view. The Breath programme will fill that gap by training excellent researchers.

Breath is supported by the european programme Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie and will recruit 20 talented fellows over two calls. The 20 applicants will have the opportunity to choose among 40 interdisciplinary projects at the intersection between health and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). Breath programme is carried by the University of Angers (UA) and the two others public universities in Pays de la Loire: University of Le Mans (LMU) and Nantes University (NU).

Doctoral Candidates (DC) will be systematically supervised by 3 co-supervisors: one expert from SSH, one from Health and one non-academic and/or international expert 

The Breath programme is organised in two calls :
• One call to obtain high level research topics to offer to doctoral candidates
• One call to recruit doctoral candidates on the selected research topics

The Breath programme offers:

A unique experience fully funded during 36-month with attractive employment and salary conditions

Exceptional working and mentoring conditions

Excellent research training in English including a 3-month mandatory secondment

Elaborate training in transferable skills and personal career development support

Cofund Breath’s key figures :

• Overall project duration: 5 years 
• Duration of the PhD: 3 years
• Number of doctoral positions: 10 doctoral contracts fully funded from the 1st October 2026
• Overall cost: 6M euros, with co-financing by the European Commission of 2 million

can be of any nationality

should comply with the mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline of the call

can go on short term secondments (3 months)

must not have a doctoral degree

must settle in France