Environmental toxicology assessment: ALTERNATIVE
Environmental toxicology studies the effects of biological, physical, and chemical hazards on living organisms.
During project ALTERNATIVE, cardiac cells in a 3-dimensional microfluidic tissue-on-chip system will be exposed to different chemicals, and the toxicity thereof will be determined.
Every day, we are exposed to a variety of potentially toxic chemicals present in our surrounding environment.
For example, these can be pesticide residues in our food or residues and degradation products of various types of drugs (antibiotics, parasiticides, antimycotics, and anti-cancer drugs).
A cardiac tissue model for environmental toxicology assessment: introduction
They are found in different environmental compartments, including surface water, groundwater, soil, air, and biota, and have been recognized in the pharmacovigilance legislation in the EU as an emerging environmental issue.
Environmental toxicology is the field of science that analyses the effects of these compounds on living organisms.
Environmental toxicology plays a role in many aspects of our lives. Recently, an increase in cardiovascular diseases has been observed, with ischaemic heart disease and stroke representing, in 2019, the top-ranked causes of death among mature and aged populations.
One hypothesis is that this increase is related to exposure to environmental toxic chemicals.
Multiple chemical components have been shown to have cardiotoxic properties, for example, cleaning products, plastic food containers, primary and secondary tobacco smoke, and fuel combustion. A combination of these chemicals with pharmaceuticals could even worsen the effects.
Therefore, a standardized model for environmental toxicology assessment is needed and will be developed during the ALTERNATIVE project.
A cardiac tissue model for environmental toxicology assessment: project description
