You are here:
In Vitro Models of Human Toxicity Pathways
Citation:
DIX, D. J. In Vitro Models of Human Toxicity Pathways. Presented at Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, March 15 - 19, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
One of the challenges to this in vitro approach is selecting appropriate cell types and endpoints that provide a sufficient battery for predicting the response of relevant toxicity pathways. Results from these high throughput screening (HTS) assays are being linked to historical toxicological test results to facilitate a transition in testing paradigms. This session includes results from five laboratories and programs wherein the convergence of science, technology and regulatory need have produced initial successes in creating in vitro models of human toxicity pathways.
Description:
For toxicity testing and assessment programs to address the large numbers of substances of potential concern, a paradigm shift in the assessment of chemical hazard and risk is needed that takes advantage of advances in molecular toxicology, computational sciences, and information technology. This shift represents an evolution of toxicology from an observational science, to a predictive science built upon mechanism-based, biological observations in vitro. This session presents progress in developing robust, quantitative in vitro models of human toxicity pathways with the potential to replace the current reliance on in vivo animal data. These in vitro models identify cellular and molecular responses associated with critical biological pathways, which can result in adverse health effects when sufficiently perturbed by chemical exposure.