Research Trends in Toxicology

About this programme

Building on fundamental toxicological principles, this course focuses on mechanistic toxicology and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)—state-of-the-art tools that enhance chemical safety assessments, reduce reliance on animal testing, and improve our ability to predict toxic effects. Throughout the course, we will explore topics such as toxicogenomics, epigenetics, modern omics techniques, high-throughput screening, computational toxicology, advanced stem cell-based models, and the application of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) as a mechanistic framework that links molecular and cellular events to adverse health and environmental effects. A key highlight of this course is its emphasis on the exposome, a concept that considers the totality of environmental exposures over a lifetime and their interactions with biological systems. Understanding the exposome provides deeper insights into chemical mixtures, emerging contaminants, and gene-environment interactions, helping us tackle pressing challenges in environmental and human health. 🔬 Exposure to modern experimental techniques through lectures and demonstrations 📊 Critical evaluation skills through peer-reviewed literature, journal clubs, and discussions 💡 Insight into how toxicologists address real-world health and environmental challenges 🌍 Ethical perspectives, including the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in research 📝 The opportunity to develop and present your own innovative, hypothesis-driven research proposal