NEW APPROACHES, METHODOLOGIES AND MODELS
New Approaches and Methodologies in Toxicology
1. Description
Toxicology is rapidly evolving with the integration of new experimental methodologies and cutting-edge technologies. This online course provides an in-depth exploration of emerging approaches in toxicology, emphasizing their applications in risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research.
Traditional toxicological methods often rely on animal testing and conventional biochemical assays. However, modern advancements are enabling the development of alternative approaches that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and ethical standards. This course introduces participants to innovative methodologies such as omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), in vitro models, bioinformatics tools, and advanced imaging techniques.
Through a series of expert-led lectures available on the project’s YouTube channel, participants will gain valuable insights into how these methodologies are transforming toxicological studies and their implications for public health, regulatory frameworks, and environmental safety.
2. Learning outcomes
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental principles and recent advancements in toxicology methodologies.
- Explain the role of omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) in toxicological research.
- Differentiate between in vitro, in vivo, and computational toxicology approaches and their applications.
- Apply bioinformatics tools and data analysis techniques in toxicology studies.
- Assess the advantages and limitations of new methodologies compared to traditional toxicological approaches.
- Analyze the relevance of alternative testing methods for regulatory toxicology and risk assessment.
- Evaluate the ethical considerations and future perspectives of modern toxicological research.
This course is designed for students, researchers, and professionals in toxicology, environmental sciences, pharmacology, and biomedical research, providing them with essential knowledge to integrate innovative methodologies into their scientific work and contribute to the future of safer and more sustainable toxicology practices.
3. Structure of the course
Your Mouth Cells Could Predict Cancer and Other Diseases
Buccal cells are emerging as a powerful tool in biomonitoring, early disease detection, and toxicology research. In this lecture, Dr. Mirta Milic from the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, explores how these easily collected oral cells provide valuable insights into DNA damage, chemical exposure, and disease risk. Unlike invasive blood sampling, buccal cells offer a non-invasive method to assess environmental and occupational health impacts, making them ideal for large-scale human biomonitoring studies. This lecture covers the science behind buccal micronucleus cytome assay and buccal comet assay, explaining how they help detect genetic damage, evaluate exposure to toxins, and predict risks for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Learn how these innovative methodologies align with modern toxicology and regulatory frameworks, contributing to advancements in chemical risk assessment and next-generation health monitoring. Whether you’re a researcher, student, or toxicology enthusiast, this video will provide in-depth knowledge on the role of buccal cells in human health and exposure science.
How Can New Approach Methodologies Revolutionize Risk Assessment?
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are transforming the field of chemical risk assessment, offering innovative, science-based alternatives to traditional animal testing. In this lecture, Dr. Brigit Mertens from Sciencano explores the challenges and opportunities of implementing NAMs in regulatory toxicology, including the latest advancements in in silico modeling, high-throughput screening, organ-on-a-chip technology, and omics applications. She explains how NAMs align with the European Directive 2010/63, which mandates reducing animal testing wherever possible, and discusses the hurdles of regulatory acceptance, validation, and standardization. While these novel methods promise faster, more human-relevant data, their integration into legislation remains complex. Dr. Mertens also highlights the role of Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) and the importance of defining NAMs to ensure clarity in research and policy. As Europe pushes for next-generation risk assessment through initiatives like the PARC Partnership, understanding these methodologies is crucial for scientists, regulators, and policymakers working toward a future with ethical, efficient, and accurate chemical safety evaluations.
The in Vitro Micronucleus Test – Background and Application in Genotoxicity Testing
The micronucleus assay in its various forms (in vitro, in vivo) is one of the most important endpoints for assessment of chromosomal mutations. This is needed in the characterization of the toxicity (mutagenicity) of priority and emerging pollutants. Here, this endpoint is introduced, various application scenarios are presented, and a student task regarding the respective (in vitro) OECD guideline is provided. Answers regarding the questions of the task complete the lecture.
- Duration of video without required study breaks: 15 min.
- 1 tasks requiring literature studies is given during the video, which takes about 2.25 hours in total to complete.
- Further reading material depends on individual interest and may be selected from the listed examples. One hour should be planned for this.
Complete duration of lecture including tasks: 3.5 hours.