22 April 2026 | Hosted at the Santa Lucia IRCCS Foundation | Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 Rome, Italy

Symposium: Optimize In Vivo Research with the Right Humanized Mouse Models

Join us for our upcoming symposium! Don't miss out on this chance to engage with experts and peers - register now to reserve your spot!

This symposium will focus on the importance of selecting the right mouse model to optimize experimental design, a critical factor in ensuring both the success and ethical integrity of biomedical research. It will also address how animal studies can be conducted in accordance with the 3R principles. Particular emphasis will be placed on humanized immune system (HIS) mice and genetically engineered models used in neurobiology research.

Key Information:

  • When: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
  • Time: 09:00 - 13:00 CEST
  • Where: The Santa Lucia IRCCS Foundation | Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 Rome, Italy

The Santa Lucia IRCCS Foundation

Secure Your Spot

Talk #1: Use of Mice in Preclinical Research: From Cancer to Neurodegenerative Disease (45 mins)

Speaker: Ditte Olsen, PhD LinkedIn
Scientific Solutions Consultant, Taconic Biosciences

The development and characterization of animal models that can translate human responses are essential for studying disease pathophysiology and advancing the development of new therapeutics. However, no in vivo or in vitro model can fully replicate the clinical condition. For this reason, it is important to understand the strengths and limitations of different model systems to ensure the most appropriate model is selected to address a specific scientific question.

This seminar will introduce the core concepts of preclinical drug discovery, including key considerations related to model validity.

Attend this presentation to: 

  • Gain an introduction to the core concepts of preclinical drug discovery and the principles underlying in vivo model validity.
  • Learn about immunodeficient mice and how humanized immune system (HIS) mouse models support research across multiple fields.
  • Review commonly used in vivo models in preclinical neurodegenerative research, including their advantages and limitations.

Talk #2: Strategies for Custom Rodent Model Generation: Methods, Strengths, and Limitations (45 mins)

Speaker: Ditte Olsen, PhD LinkedIn
Scientific Solutions Consultant, Taconic Biosciences

Transgenic rodent models have become indispensable tools in biomedical research, enabling precise investigation of gene function, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. This presentation will provide an overview of the conceptual approaches used to generate transgenic mice and rats. It will compare the major strengths, limitations, and typical applications of these methods to help researchers select the most appropriate strategy for different biological questions.

Attend this presentation to:

  • Understand the three major methods used to generate customized rodent models, with a focus on their specific advantages and limitations.
  • Learn why selecting the right methodology is important not only for the efficient and cost-effective generation of experimental models, but also for supporting the 3R principles.
  • Discover how optimized colony management solutions can contribute to the 3Rs.          

Talk #3: The Use of Antibodies in the Preclinical Phase and Analysis: Recent Advancements (30 mins)

Speaker: Valentina Garrapa, PhD LinkedIn
Chief Executive Officer, preclinics Italia

This presentation will highlight the importance of using high-quality antibodies to ensure robust and reliable preclinical analyses. We will discuss the advantages and limitations of different antibody types, with particular emphasis on recent innovations and emerging technologies in the field.

Attend this presentation to:

  • Learn how to select the most appropriate antibody for a given application.
  • Discover emerging options and technologies that can improve the quality and reproducibility of preclinical analyses.   

Meet the Team

Ditte Olsen

Speaker:

Ditte Olsen, PhD  LinkedIn

Scientific Solutions Consultant | Taconic Biosciences

Dr. Ditte Olsen received her Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Aarhus University, Denmark, and earned her industrial PhD in Neuroscience from Aarhus University and H Lundbeck A/S. During her PhD, Ditte studied the dopaminergic system in various transgenic animal models. During her postdoctoral training, her focus changed to the field of cardiovascular disorders. Following her postdoctoral training, she joined a biotech company where her focus was on preclinical research using small molecules to reduce high cholesterol levels. Ditte brings nearly 15 years of in vivo research experience to her role as a Scientific Solutions Consultant at Taconic.

Ditte Olsen

Speaker:

Valentina Garrapa, PhD  LinkedIn

Chief Executive Officer | preclinics Italia

Dr. Valentina Garrapa received her Master of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Parma, Italy, and earned her PhD in Biotechnology from the same University. During her PhD, Valentina studied the development, application, and modification of antibodies with a special focus on Single-Domain Antibodies. During her postdoctoral training, her focus shifted to the development of synthetic libraries to develop new antibodies. After her postdoctoral training, she joined preclinics GmbH, where her focus was on antibody project development, learning skills in antigen preparation, and antibody production. Valentina brings 10+ years of experience in the antibody development field for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.