The Underlying Scientific Concept

metabonomics-2The goal of SEURAT-1 is the development of a concept and corresponding long-term research strategy for future research and development work leading to pathway based human safety assessments in the field of repeated dose systemic toxicity testing of chemicals.SEURAT-1 will contribute to develop a new definition of “adversity” in toxicology at the cellular and molecular level leading to pathway-based human safety assessment. This will require the establishment of a complex system consisting of stable human cell lines and organ-simulating devices in combination with computational chemistry, systems biology and sophisticated modeling and estimation techniques. Emphasis will be put on the reliability and reproducibility of all components necessary for the implementation of the concept.

SEURAT-1 will provide an essential step towards the SEURAT long term strategy by providing the proof of concept that the new toxicity pathway strategy reliably predicts risk of repeated dose human (liver) toxicity

The key elements of SEURAT-1

Screen small numbers of well-characterized chemicals for small range of biological endpoints potential associated with adversity in the animal or in humans.Hypothesis driven approach aimed at the identification of relevant biomarkers.

Use of sophisticated “physiologic” in vitro models

Develop human functional systems of diverse cellularity by means of stem cell technology

Apply biomarker analysis on stem cell-derived differentiated cells.Use cells alone (HTS) or in complex multicellular systems

(bioreactor)

Link in vitro responses to tissue dosimetry by computer modeling

Apply mechanistic knowledge to predict toxicity in silico

Generate proof of concept that the new toxicity pathway strategy correctly predicts subchronic (liver) toxicity In vivo.