CA24168 - European Initiative to Enhance the Current SABV Policy in Preclinical Biomedical Research (EU-SABV)

The EU-SABV COST Action is designed to equip researchers with both theoretical and practical knowledge to enhance the current Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) initiative and integrate it into ongoing and future research. The action is structured around four primary objectives: 1) Enhancing scientific rigor: Improving the current SABV framework to boost scientific rigor, reproducibility, and the translational relevance of research findings across various fields in basic and preclinical biomedical research, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo studies. 2) Addressing training and education gaps: Identifying shortcomings in training and providing evidence-based best practice guidance, along with educational resources, to support researchers in integrating SABV into their work. 3) Building multidisciplinary networks: Creating the first pan-European network of SABV-dedicated researchers to facilitate collaboration across disciplines, including statisticians, animal welfare scientists, veterinarians, and bioinformaticians, fostering the exchange of resources, knowledge, and methods. 4) Developing guidelines and raising awareness: Establishing evidence-based guidelines to improve the current SABV initiative, while engaging stakeholders through effective communication and advocating for changes in funding and publishing practices. Ultimately, the EU-SABV COST Action will lead to increased robustness and replicability of research findings in both basic and preclinical biomedical research, focusing on understanding why sex differences exist and how they are mediated. This will enrich our understanding of health, disease, and treatment responses. By fostering collaboration across various fields, the EU-SABV COST Action will ensure that these principles are embedded into the broader biomedical research landscape, contributing to more equitable and effective healthcare solutions.