The IIS La Fe hosts the annual meeting of the European ONTOX project on animal-free toxicological assessment

The meeting was attended by project coordinator Professor Mathieu Vinken, as well as key consortium partners and external scientific advisors appointed by the European Commission, who reviewed progress and defined the next steps for the project.

Professor Vinken explained that the main objective of ONTOX has been "to create innovative methodologies capable of predicting systemic toxic effects from repeated exposure, allowing precise human risk assessments without the use of animals". He also highlighted the significance of technologies employed, such as artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and systems biology integrated through biomedical ontologies.

Among the most significant advances of the project are detailed mapping of toxicity mechanisms in key organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver, as well as the development of in vitro and in silico test batteries. According to Vinken, "we have currently implemented probabilistic approaches based on artificial intelligence, essential for assessing chemical safety".

The Experimental Hepatology Unit of IIS La Fe has played a critical role by leading studies focused on drug-induced cholestasis and hepatic steatosis, contributing decisively to the project. Professor Vinken described this contribution as "indispensable due to the unique expertise in liver research provided by the center."

ONTOX is holding the coordination of the ASPIS Consortium, in which a collaboration has been established with two other European projects, RISKHUNTER and PRECISIONTOX, to achieve the shared goal of developing innovative and ethical strategies for animal-free toxicological assessment through the use of different approaches. On the occasion of the ONTOX Annual Meeting, the co-chairs of the ASPIS ACADEMY (one of the many initiatives of the consortium, specifically intended for early stage researchers) organized a training day entitled "Let's Talk About Data!", which covered topics such as data management, visualization, and effective communication to the general public.

Finally, Vinken emphasized ONTOX's role in transforming the toxicological paradigm: "Our goal has been to enhance the safety of chemicals for people without resorting to animal experimentation, leading a shift towards a more ethical and sustainable toxicology”.

The hosting of this meeting at IIS La Fe has reaffirmed the active role of the center, particularly the UV-IIS La Fe Mixed Unit of Experimental Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, integrated into the CIBER of Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), in transforming the toxicological paradigm at a European level.