Symposium Next level non-animal testing
Are there animal-free methods to test the potential harmful effects of chemical substances on our health? A consortium of research organizations and companies developed new methods in the past four years. And with success!
Therefore, we would like to invite you to the symposium ‘Next level non-animal testing’ on December 2, 2022 in Utrecht with keynote from Professor Marcel Levi, President Executive Board of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Discover what has been done, what we can offer en how we can continue this innovative research together with you. The interactive conference is open for all stakeholders, researchers, companies, regulatory agencies, policy makers and NGOs. Will you attend our event?
3R TOXFLOW
Within the 3R TOXFLOW project, funded by EFRO (Kansen voor West), small organisms (nematodes, fish and cells) are standardized to be used to assess hazards of substances while reducing the need for mammalian toxicity studies. The new methodologies are time and cost effective and as such highly suitable to assess even complex substances. The 3R TOXFLOW testing strategy supports companies in rapid assessment of their products and makes an important contribution to the transition to animal-free research in and outside the Netherlands.
DARTpaths
Within the DARTpaths project, funded by the UK’s national organization for the 3Rs (NC3Rs), an in silico platform has been developed that allows integration of chemical, in vitro and in vivo toxicity data, based on molecular mechanisms of action. This allows translation of 3R TOXFLOW data and mammalian testing data into one shared prediction model. Mechanisms of action can consequently be confirmed using the 3R TOXFLOW testing strategy.
Acceptance of animal-free and novel test strategies requires bridging of all different study data. The 3R TOXFLOW testing strategy and the DARTpaths tools are key in this approach!
Programme
09.30h | Registration |
10.00h | Words of welcome - Diederik Jekel and Cyrille Krul |
10:10h | Keynote: The Netherlands, in the lead for non-animal testing - Professor Marcel Levi |
10.45h | 3R TOXFLOW (video) |
10.50h | Next level non-animal testing: 3R TOXFLOW & DARTpaths results at a glance - Marjolein Wildwater |
11.10h | Break |
11.40h | Successful public-private partnership - Marjolein Wildwater (Vivaltes), Raymond Pieters (HU), Chantal Smulders (Shell) Catherine Vickers (NC3Rs) and Deb Milligan (team CRACK IT NC3Rs) |
12.15h | Lunch |
13.00h | Welcome back - Diederik Jekel |
13.10h | 3R TOXFLOW: the results presented in more detail - Jochem Louisse (Wageningen Food Safety Research), Chiel Jonker (IRAS), Henrie Korthout (Fytagoras) and Marc Teunis (HU) |
14:00h | DARTpaths data science: a live demo of the application - Vera van Noort (KU Leuven) and Marvin Steijaert (OpenAnalytics) |
14:30h | Break |
15:00h | Interactive discussion with audience on the future of non-animal testing |
15.45h | Closing words - Diederik Jekel and Cyrille Krul |
16.00h | Drinks & connect |
17.00h | End of programme |
Presentations
In the Netherlands animal testing is carried out to protect our health, develop medication and gain new scientific knowledge. But is it the most reliable method of testing? And is it possible to replace animal testing with non-animal methods? The Dutch government has expressed its ambition to be a international frontrunner in the transition to non-animal testing innovations. Professor Marcel Levi, President Executive Board of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), shares his insight on the state of the art of non-animal testing.
Marjolein Wildwater gives a concise presentation on the results of the 3R TOXFLOW and DARTpaths projects. 3R TOXFLOW compares C. elegans, zebrafish and cell line research in toxicity testing. She will also shed her light on the challenges on bringing products to market without animal testing.
In the past four years a consortium of research organizations and companies worked together on the research and development of non-animal testing methods. Diederik Jekel talks with representatives from the consortium about the urge, needs and aims for non-animal testing and the steps that they followed in the past years. And look forward to the possibilities and opportunities for the future.
After a brief introduction to 3R TOXFLOW in the morning, Jochem Louisse, Chiel Jonker and Marc Teunis will take the attendees more in-depth into the research. What can the results of the research mean for the industry?
Using a concrete business case, Vera van Noort and Marvin Steijaert will show how the DARTpaths application works and what it can do for the industry.
Led by conference chair Diederik Jekel, we will engage in a conversation, discussing various perspectives such as: what is still needed, how can it be realized, what are regulatory issues, what are the technological opportunities, and how do we deal with uncertainty?
Speakers
Diederik Jekel
Science Communicator
Chiel Jonker
Assistant Professor Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) at Utrecht University
Cyrille Krul
Director Research Center Healthy and Sustainable Living and Professor Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Professor Marcel Levi
President Executive Board, Dutch Research Council (NOW)
Jochem Louisse
Scientific Researcher Toxicology at Wageningen Food Safety Research
Vera van Noort
Professor Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics at KU Leuven
Raymond Pieters
Professor Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and Associate Professor at IRAS, Utrecht University
Chantal Smulders
Global Head Product Safety Science and Regulatory Advocacy, Shell
Marvin Steijaert
Managing Consultant at OpenAnalytics
Marc Teunis
Senior Scientist Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Catherine Vickers
Head of Innovation NC3Rs
Marjolein Wildwater
CEO Vivaltes, Researcher Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Practical information
Date | December 2, 2022 |
Time | 10.00-16.00h - registration from 9.30h and reception till 17.00h |
Fee | Free of charge |
Venue |
Media Plaza, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3503 RM Utrecht, The Netherlands |
Accessibility | Click here |
Contact | gezondenduurzaamleven@hu.nl |
Hotel accommodation
The following hotels are within a short walking distance of the venue Media Plaza:
1. NH Utrecht ****
2. Crowne Plaza - Central Station ****
3. Inntel Hotel Utrecht ****
Register
Please register here.