AltTox Digest
August/September 2009

The World Congress on Alternatives—and AltTox.org

When representatives of The Procter and Gamble Company and The Humane Society of the United States first met in 2005 to discuss the possibility of launching a new website devoted to alternative methods, we felt the time was right to focus exclusively on the field of toxicity testing and on the "R" of replacement. Judging from the recent World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Science, held in Rome, we made the right decision. Indeed, the thrust of the World Congress was applying the best science to developing non-animal methods (in vitro and in silico) for toxicity testing. What AltTox adds to this mix is a dual emphasis on policy as well as science.

Much of the "buzz" at the World Congress was on "21^st Century Toxicology," especially the vision of the U.S. National Research Council's 2007 report on "Toxicity Testing in the 21^st Century." This was reflected in plenary lectures, numerous oral and poster presentations, and the awards ceremony. In addition, The HSUS spearheaded a resolution in support of collaborative efforts on 21^st Century Toxicology, which was endorsed by conferees from 24 countries. What AltTox offers to proponents of 21^st Century Toxicology specifically, and non-animal approaches to toxicity testing more generally, is an online platform for rapid exchange of information and perspectives on the subject (via our Forums), as well as ready access to relevant summary information (via the more traditional components of the website).

P.S. At the World Congress, we gave both a PowerPoint and a poster presentation on AltTox, and held an informal meeting of our editorial board members and forum moderators. Also, the AltTox forums hosted a message string for conferees to post any observations or thoughts about the conference.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Forum Postings

Some of the recent posts on the AltTox forums include the following:

Toxicity Endpoints & Tests forum

• ECVAM Calls for participation in pre-validation of Sensitization methods
• OECD Council adopts several new and revised test guidelines
• EFSA discourages the use of the mouse bioassay for marine biotoxins

Emerging Technologies forum

• Ki-67 expression and cell proliferation

Community of Practice: Chemical Reactivity—ChemReactTox

• Predicting Electrophilic Reactivity
• Respiratory sensitisation

Programs & Policies forum

• Post-Doctoral Positions in EPA's National Center for Computational Toxicology
• Controversy over cost and animal use in REACH
• World Congress on Alternatives—on AltTox

Overarching Challenges & Opportunities forum

• EU FP7 Call for Alternative Testing Strategies - 25 Mio € & 25 Mio € from COLIPA
• Special Emphasis Study Section of CSR for Toxicology-related Applications

Be sure to visit the forums, respond to previous postings, or start a new message thread.

Enter Forums >>

New and Updated Information

The AltTox.org Management Team and Editorial Board strive to give readers the most up-to-date summary information related to non-animal methods of toxicity testing. Check out our latest material:

In the Spotlight

• NAS Holds Workshop on Use of Emerging Science and Technologies to Explore Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying the Developmental Basis for Disease

The Way Forward

• Animal Alternatives in Environmental Science by Scott Belanger

Toxicity Testing Resource Center

• Informational Resources
• Meetings & Events
• Education/Training
• In Vitro Testing & Other Services
• Other Literature/Websites
• Testing Supplies, Cells, Tissues, Software

Upcoming Events

Here are some of the many upcoming events listed on AltTox that may be of interest to the AltTox community:

• Computational Toxicology Centers STAR Progress Review Workshop, October 1, 2009, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US
• ecopa Start-Up Workshop: Replacement, October 2-3, 2009, Budapest, Hungary
• (Q)SAR Application Toolbox Training, October 5-8, 2009, Baltimore, Maryland, US
• HSL Course: Derivation of a Derived No-Effect Level Using PBPK and Benchmark Dose Response Modelling, October 12-13, 2009, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK
• EDQM Symposium, Batch Release for Human Vaccines: Principles, Procedures and Tools, October 15-16, 2009, Strasbourg, France
• 20^th Anniversary of ZEBET at the BfR, October 26-27, 2009, Berlin, Germany
• HESI Workshop on the State of the Science of Epigenetics, October 28-30, 2009, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US

More Events >>

User Participation

We welcome your participation in the AltTox forums, as well as your comments and suggestions, which can be submitted by using the online Website Feedback survey, or by e-mailing info@alttox.org. Please submit your suggestions for the Informational Resources or Events section to info@alttox.org.

© 2009 The Humane Society of the United States and Procter & Gamble | All Rights Reserved.
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