Elly Hol (UMC Utrecht): possibilities for neuroscience
Prof. dr. Elly Hol (neuroscientist) talks about the opportunities for conducting animal-free research in Utrecht. She explains why it is necessary to use animal models next to cell-based models, for example for her Alzheimer research.
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Innovation examples
Animal-free computational modelling for prevention of human chemical-induced neural tube defects
Animal-free methods for human chemical safety assessment are promising tools for the reduction of animal testing. However, these methods only measure a small aspect of biology compared to an in vivo test. The reductionist nature of these methods thus limits their individual application in the regulatory arena of chemical risk assessment. Ontologies can be used to describe human biology, and delineate the basis of adverse outcome pathway networks that describe how chemical exposures may lead to adverse health effects. This pathway description can then help to select animal-free in vitro and in silico methods, comprehensively covering the network. The comprehensiveness of this approach, firmly rooted in human biology, is expected to facilitate regulatory acceptance of animal-free methods. As an example, this video zooms in on the development of a computational model for neural tube development, an aspect of human development that is especially vulnerable to chemical disruption.
This research is part of the ONTOX project (https://www.ontox-project.eu).
For more information on the concept of the Virtual Human, click here (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cotox.2019.03.009.).
Innovation examples
Developmental neurotoxicity testing using stem cells
Children should grow up in a safe and healthy environment. Disruption of brain development may have enormous impact on future life and might result in disorders such as ADHD or cognitive decline. The effect of compound exposure on the developing brain is largely unknown, since in the current regulatory test procedures in experimental animals effects on the brain are rarely investigated and human relevance of these animal models is under debate.
Researchers at RIVM are developing a cell model based on human stem cells that mimics a small part of the developing brain. This method is human-relevant, animal-free, and based on mechanistic knowledge of human biology and physiology of brain development. The model can be an important component in a testing strategy to test the safety of chemicals and pharmaceuticals on the developing brain.
Projects and initiatives
Transition Project towards Animal-free Innovations
Animal-free innovations are emerging at a fast pace. TPI Chair Daniela Salvatori, and TPI ambassadors Jeffrey Beekman and Elly Hol, explain why animal-free innovations are important and how TPI supports researchers in finding or developing animal-free methods for their research. They call for collaboration.
Innovation examples
Understanding implant safety in vitro
Each year, millions of people receive an implant. The function of damaged tissues or organs is successfully restored in most people, however, some do develop complications. The safety of medical devices is indicated for legislation using international regulations. In the relevant standards, tests mainly focus on the chemical nature of the implants using classical toxicological end-points. However, more recently we have learned that the mechanical forces from an implant on the host-tissue can have significant effects on the host-response as well. At RIVM we want to develop an animal-free model that better resembles the interface between the implant and the host-tissue, and by updating the testing strategies contribute to implant safety on the long term.