Jamaican scientist, Lawrence Williams develops assay that eliminates the need for animal testing during dev’t of anti-inflammatory drugs

Dr. Lawrence Williams. PHOTO/Scientific Research Council Of Jamaica

Jamaican researcher, Dr. Lawrence Williams has figured out a way that eliminates the need for laboratory testing of animals in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs with the development of his Bovine Serum Albumin assay.

The Bovine Serum Albumin is a protein derived from the blood of cattle, purified into a solid form which can respond like a living tissue when exposed to heat.

It is expected that this breakthrough will resonate well with animal lovers who oppose the use and testing of animals during the development of pharmaceutical products.

“Instead of using animals, we could use this assay to elucidate the structure and all those processes previously involved in the use of animals. So this assay is to reduce the use of animals in the development of certain drugs, for example, anti-inflammatory drugs,” said Williams.

“When I work out the cost, if the cost is US$1,000 for using animals, which excludes the chemicals you have to use, this assay is US$100. Dr. Williams started working on the assay while he was a lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of the West Indies 14 years ago.

Read more: Jamaica Observer