| Apr 22, 2014 |
PETA science consortium to present hazard testing strategy at nanotoxicology meeting
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(Nanowerk News) PETA International Science Consortium Ltd.'s nanotechnology expert will present a poster titled "A tiered-testing strategy for nanomaterial hazard assessment" (pdf) at the 7th International Nanotoxicology Congress to be held April 23-26, 2014, in Antalya, Turkey.
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Dr. Monita Sharma will outline a strategy consistent with the 2007 report from the US National Academy of Sciences, "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy", which recommends use of non-animal methods involving human cells and cell lines for mechanistic pathway–based toxicity studies.
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Based on the current literature, the proposed strategy includes thorough characterization of nanomaterials as manufactured, as intended for use, and as present in the final biological system; assessment using multiple in silico and in vitro model systems, including high-throughput screening (HTS) assays and 3D systems; and data sharing among researchers from government, academia, and industry through web-based tools, such as the Nanomaterial Registry and NanoHUB
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Implementation of the proposed strategy will generate meaningful information on nanomaterial properties and their interaction with biological systems. It is cost-effective, reduces animal use, and can be applied for assessing risk and making intelligent regulatory decisions regarding the use and disposal of nanomaterials.
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The presentation follows the recent launch of the Science Consortium's new web page on nanotechnology. The web page provides an introduction to nanotechnology and outlines reliable and relevant strategies researchers can use to avoid the use of animals in nanotoxicity assessment.
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Dr. Sharma has a PhD in biomedical sciences from Wright State University, with nanotoxicology as her main area of research. Scientists from member organizations of the PETA International Science Consortium take part in international standards-setting organizations and bring their scientific expertise and extensive knowledge of international testing protocols to bear on developing, standardizing, and implementing non-animal testing strategies.
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