49 - "Leveraging in silico tools to develop alternative methods in toxicology"
Abstract:
Chemical safety assessment still heavily relies on animal testing, presenting ethical dilemmas and limited human predictive value. The Horizon 2020 ONTOX project aims to foster the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), based on in vitro and in silico technologies. As part of ONTOX, our team is working on the construction of in silico physiological and disease maps, also called ontology maps, which graphically represent and integrate diverse datasets including biological, toxicological, clinical, kinetic and chemical data. Together with in vitro test batteries, these in silico tools and derived in silico models contribute to develop human-relevant NAMs for next-generation toxicological risk assessment.
Bio:
Project Manager and Senior Scientist, University of Liege
Co chair of the Avicenna Notified Bodies Task Force
Dr. Bernard Staumont holds a PhD in bioscience engineering and a master's degree in general management. After gaining experience in in vitro & in vivo research projects and project management, in 2019 he joined the Biomechanics Research Unit (Prof. Liesbet Geris, University of Liege) where he works as a project manager and senior scientist in the field of in silico medicine. He is also a member of the VPH Institute and co-chairs the NB task force within the Avicenna Alliance to engage with notified bodies and standards organizations to increase the uptake of in silico medicine.
