In the current global regulatory climate favorable for further advancement of in vitro test methods, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is driving significant efforts in the United States. The latest endeavor targets the modernization of the battery of acute toxicity tests classically known as the "six-pack."

Known for many years as an "all in vivo" testing strategy for products registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the six-pack has recently been revised to include non-animal test methods for classification and labeling for eye irritation.

Workshop & Training on Alternative Methods Held in Shanghai

With the growing popularity of the 3R alternatives to animal

testing, non-animal in vitro testing methods for chemical, cosmetic, and drug toxicity testing, safety evaluation, and risk assessment are regularly used in industries and accepted by regulatory agencies. In order to unify global testing standards, actively promote technical innovation, and accelerate regulatory mode reform, the 5th Workshop and Training of Alternative Methods was held in Shanghai from December 1-5, 2015.

Supporting the New Generation of Scientists: University of Maryland Biomedical Engineering Society Workshop

IIVS hosted its third annual "Introduction to In Vitro

Toxicology Workshop" for a group of 10 students from the University of Maryland, College Park Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES UMD, umdbmes.weebly.com/). The event was held on November 21, 2015 at IIVS. Mr. Adam Berger, VP of Academic Affairs, was the BMES UMD coordinator of this activity. The Biological Sciences section of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County also had one participating student.

The workshop was a combination of lectures, hands-on and demo laboratory sessions introducing the students to the concepts of adverse outcome pathways and approaches to predict skin sensitization, in vitro testing methods using tissue engineered models, and assays addressing ocular irritation. The diversity of the questions asked and issues discussed made for a very interactive session between the IIVS team and the students.

IIVS to Host Workshop: In Vitro Exposure Systems and Dosimetry Assessment Tools for Inhaled Tobacco Products

In support of its Respiratory Toxicology Program, IIVS will host a three-day workshop April 4-6 that promotes the use of in vitro models in testing and assessing the potential toxicity of pulmonary toxicants.

Presenters from industry, government, academia, and non-profits will explore topics such as:

* Tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosols
* Air-liquid interface - in vitro exposure systems
* Dosimetry approaches for particles and vapors
* In vitro dosimetry determinations
* Exposure microenvironment/physiology of cells

This workshop is the third workshop of its kind with the first held in December 2014 followed by a second in June 2015.

Abstracts are currently being accepted through Feb. 15. The early-bird registration deadline is Feb. 15. For more information, a preliminary agenda and information about submitting a poster, click here.

IIVS CEO, Rodger Curren, to Serve on the Scientific Advisory Council for the EBTC

Dr. Rodger Curren has been elected to the Scientific Advisory Council of the Evidence Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC). The EBTC was founded to improve toxicological decision-making, facilitate the modernization of the toxicological toolbox, and reinvigorate the safety sciences. In his role, Dr. Curren will provide scientific advice and counsel on the EBTC projects.

Learn more about the EBTC.

NICEATM News ...

SOT Awards NICEATM Director Casey with the 2016 Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award

NICEATM Director William Casey was recognized for his contributions to animal welfare. The Society of Toxicology (SOT) awarded Dr. Casey with the 2016 Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award. This award is given for advancing toxicology through the development and application of methods that replace, refine, or reduce the need for experimental animals.

Nicole Kleinstreuer Appointed NICEATM Deputy Director

Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., has been named deputy director of NICEATM. Kleinstreuer most recently worked for ILS, the NICEATM support contractor, where she led the NICEATM computational toxicology group. In her new role as NICEATM deputy director she will continue to lead NICEATM computational toxicology projects, as well as interacting with NICEATM's U.S. and international partners and stakeholders.

View IIVS Webinars and Videos on Our YouTube Page

Visit our new YouTube page to view a collection of webinars and videos highlighting our assays, including:

IIVS BCOP (Video)

Webinars:

In Vitro 3T3 Phototoxicity Assay

Reconstructed Human Skin Micronucleus Assay (RSMN)

NociOcular Assay

Integrated Testing Strategies for In Vitro Skin Sensitization

Revisiting Skin Irritation Testing Strategies Applying Non-animal Test Methods

Short Time Exposure (STE) Assay

BCOP Assay - Applications in the Regulatory Arena

KeratinoSens Assay

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