Prof. Mathieu Vinken, ONTOX coordinator and professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, visited the University of Seoul (UOS) during the week of 14 October, marking a pivotal moment for the ongoing collaboration between ONTOX and UOS.
During this special week, the University of Seoul hosted an annual UOS AOPs & NGRA Projects Joint Symposium on 15 October. It highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts between UOS and ONTOX, further solidifying the relationship established earlier this year by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Mathieu Vinken delivered a lecture entitled “The European ONTOX project: Overview and Hazard Identification Strategy” to spearhead this valuable union.
“The establishment of collaboration between UOS and ONTOX opens a plethora of perspectives not only at the research level but also for the exchange of investigators with a focus on early-career researchers. Furthermore, this collaboration will help increase international visibility, maximise impact and secure the sustainability of ONTOX,” commented Mathieu Vinken, the ONTOX coordinator.
The Symposium featured a panel of distinguished experts, including leaders from the University of Seoul and prominent Korean research institutes, who shared insights on Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) and Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA), advancing dialogue on non-animal testing methodologies.
The event was a direct outcome of the MoU signed between ONTOX and the University of Seoul in June 2024, a significant milestone that greatly strengthened the collaboration between the two institutions.
“The collaboration between the University of Seoul and ONTOX holds significant promise, fostering advancements in our mutual research interest in AI-based toxicology. This partnership also opens doors for scientific exchange, particularly for early-career researchers, offering them invaluable opportunities to gain global experience and diverse perspectives. By creating a collaborative network, this partnership not only drives scientific innovation but also contributes to establishing a resilient, global research community, leading the way in the new era of toxicology,” said Jinhee Choi, a Professor at the School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul.
The MoU aims to promote knowledge exchange and foster an environment conducive to developing, using, and regulatory acceptance of predictive, human-relevant approaches, paving the way for revolutionary advancements in non-animal research. This partnership offers a valuable platform for ONTOX and the University of Seoul to collaborate, share expertise, and drive innovation in animal-free technologies.
Furthermore, the University of Seoul hosted the MoU signing ceremony, a key event that underscored the commitment to joint international cooperation. It was attended by the university President Yongkul Won, vice President of International Affairs Ji-Hee Song, Prof. Yonghee Lee, Prof. Hee Kyung Oh, and Prof. Jong-June Jeon.
The Symposium and the ceremony served as a cutting-edge platform, fostering meaningful discussions on non-animal research through insightful presentations and valuable networking opportunities.
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