The Danish Society of Toxicology and Pharmacology hosted the prestigious EUROTOX 2024 congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, from September 8 to 11, 2024. The theme, “Toxicology – A Quest for Safe Chemicals and Medicines,” perfectly encapsulated the congress’s rich and diverse program. It addressed crucial topics ranging from the safety of drugs and environmental chemicals to emerging technologies, personalized medicine, and the implications of chemical exposure in human health, particularly in the face of climate change.
The congress kicked off with a fully booked Early Career Networking Event, where esteemed experts shared invaluable insights. Among the panellists was the highly respected Helena Kandarova, ERT, a key figure in the ONTOX project. Helena’s remarkable career journey, spanning academia, industry, and international collaboration, inspired young researchers. Her contributions include founding a GLP-compliant SK-NETVAL laboratory focused on in vitro toxicology, as well as her leadership roles as Director of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, President of ESTIV, and Deputy Coordinator for ONTOX dissemination and communication.
Helena’s journey resonated deeply with the audience, offering a blueprint for aspiring toxicologists. In an interview, Helena and other panellists delved into their career-defining moments, offering readers a rare glimpse into their experiences and the future of toxicology.
ONTOX hosted an entire session, Ontology-driven and AI-based Repeated Dose Toxicity Testing Panel, chaired by Nynke Kramer from Wageningen University, showcasing groundbreaking research aligned with the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
Mathieu Vinken provided an overview of hazard identification strategies, illustrating how ONTOX leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and mode-of-action ontology frameworks to advance human risk assessment without animal models. The focus was on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to predict systemic toxicity in key organs, including the liver, kidneys, and brain. Vinken emphasized the potential of a tiered, ontology-driven approach for predicting liver toxicity, particularly steatotic and cholestatic effects.
Another standout presentation came from Susana Proença of ESQlabs GmbH, who discussed the pivotal role of biokinetic frameworks in hazard characterization. Susana explored how ONTOX refines in silico biokinetic models like Physiologically-Based Kinetic (PBK) models to predict chemical concentrations in humans after exposure, underscoring the importance of uncertainty quantification in regulatory processes.
In another thought-provoking talk, Trine Husøy from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health explored probabilistic exposure assessments for chemicals in food and personal care products. Drawing from the EuroMix project, her work combined PBPK models with probabilistic estimates, offering critical insights into the sources of chemical exposure, especially concerning PFOA. This research provides powerful tools for improving risk assessment.
The congress also highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in toxicology. Thomas Hartung of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health delivered a groundbreaking presentation on AI’s potential in probabilistic risk assessment. AI is revolutionizing data processing and algorithm development, making risk assessments more accurate and less reliant on animal testing. Hartung’s vision of AI as a co-pilot in scientific and regulatory work ignited a conversation about the democratization of knowledge through real-time analysis and open-access tools.
ONTOX’s Young Scientists Leading the Future
One of the most exciting aspects of EUROTOX 2024 was the Young Scientist Session, where emerging researchers from ONTOX showcased their innovative work. These bright minds are pushing the boundaries of toxicology with their cutting-edge research:
Eliška Kuchovská from Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF), presented her work on mapping neurodevelopmental disorders to ontology-based NAMs for Next Generation Risk Assessment, setting a new standard in risk evaluation. Simón Perera del Rosario from (ProtoQSAR) offered a fresh perspective on in silico toxicology, focusing on how deep technology can revolutionize computational toxicology predictions. Anouk Verhoeven (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) discussed the development of a human liver-based in vitro test battery for detecting liver steatotic potential, promising to enhance safety evaluations. Devon Barnes from Utrecht University introduced innovative in vitro models for simulating kidney tubular crystallopathy, contributing to a better understanding of kidney disease mechanisms and chemical impacts.
These young scientists demonstrated the future of toxicology innovation, receiving widespread acclaim for their contributions.
Advancing Risk Assessment and Regulatory Science
Michael G. Diemar (3Rs Management and Consulting ApS) delivered an engaging presentation on overcoming the barriers to implementing ONTOX’s probabilistic risk assessment approach. He highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the ONTOX Hackathon, which fosters innovation in AI integration for chemical risk assessment.
Luiz Ladeira’s Innovative Systems Biology Approach
During the Short Oral Sessions, Luiz Ladeira from the University of Liège showcased his trailblazing work in toxicological research. Luiz presented on Using a Systems Biology Approach to Construct Adverse Outcome Pathway Networks Aligned with FAIR Principles, emphasizing how his research is shaping the future of toxicology.
Luiz’s approach combines AI-driven data screening, systematic review, and advanced graphical tools to construct Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) networks that adhere to the FAIR principles—Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability. His pilot study on liver steatosis demonstrated how these networks can improve the interpretability and scalability of toxicological research, offering exciting potential for future studies and real-world applications.
Celebrating Collaboration and Innovation
EUROTOX 2024 conference was not only a showcase of innovative research but also a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and the future of toxicology. From Helena Kandarova’s inspiring journey to the interesting contributions of young ONTOX scientists like Luiz Ladeira, the congress reflected the vibrant and rapidly evolving field of toxicology.
In addition to the scientific discussions, members of the ONTOX consortium enjoyed a delightful congress dinner at Langelinie Pavillonen, which has been a popular spot for the people in Copenhagen since 1884, enhancing the collaborative spirit of the event.
As the conference came to a close, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the future—where AI, in silico models, and innovative methodologies will lead the way toward safer chemicals, medicines, and a more humane approach to toxicology.
The complete abstract book from the EUROTOX 2024 conference can be found here.
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