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09.12.2009/ A replacement for animal testing
Irish Times newspaper-1st December 2009DICK AHLSTROM, Science Editor
AN INTERNATIONAL research team including scientists from the Tyndall
National Institute have developed a highly sensitive toxicity testing
system. They believe it could provide a replacement for animal testing
in toxicity screening. The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe, launched the
Toxichip yesterday in Cork to mark the beginning of Nanoweek, a
week-long celebration of nanotechnology research to help raise public
awareness of the importance of this technology to Ireland's economy.
The Toxichip is a sensing system developed at Tyndall in collaboration
with European academic and industrial partners funded under the EU's
Framework Programme 6.
It is sensitive enough to measure the effects of toxic substances on
human or animal cells in culture. It provides this information in real
time which means the system can be used to gauge the direct effect of
chemical pollutants, experimental drugs and toxic substances in food
and beverages.
Tyndall researchers led by Dr Eric Moore developed the biosensors for
the system, which he believes has the potential to replace animal
testing.
EU directives have placed new strictures on the use of animals for
toxicity testing, both under the Reach chemical directive and the
Cosmetics Directive. They force companies to reduce the use of animals
for toxicity testing.
The Toxichip demonstrated how research under way at Tyndall and at
other centres around the State could contribute to the "smart
economy".
The creation of "a strong research, innovation and commercialisation
ecosystem" was central to an economy based on knowledge, the Minister
said.
a.. Nanoweek runs from November 30th to December 4th. Full details of
public events during the week are available at www.nano week.ie
End
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