One Health Toxicology
Toxicological mechanisms and effects
Utrecht University researchers investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of toxic substances (food-related products, health products, drugs and environmental contaminants) on the nervous system. Research focuses on adverse effects of toxic substances on neuronal network activity, membrane signaling through membrane receptors and ion channels, and on cellular communication through exocytosis. Additionally, intracellular signaling cascades and neurodevelopment are studied for further hazard characterization of various classes of environmental toxicants.
Projects focus on those exposures that are associated with strong societal concern (e.g., alternative flame retardants, drugs of abuse and electromagnetic fields) and/or neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (e.g., pesticides and chemical mixtures) and/or developmental neurological disorders, such as ADHD/ASD (chemical mixtures of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants).
Alternative and in vitro models in toxicology
How great would it be if we could assess the safety of chemicals and pharmaceuticals without the use of laboratory animals? To be able to test the safety of chemicals solely based on human physiology and biology, including such vulnerable groups as infants, the elderly or the sick?
Utrecht University plays a leading role in the Netherlands concerning the use of alternatives to laboratory animals. According to Juliette Legler, Professor of Toxicology, the current system of assessing the safety of chemicals and pharmaceuticals based on animal testing is outdated: "It is slow and leaves little room for innovation. Developments in biotechnology are proceeding very rapidly, and our current system of safety assessment is unnecessarily slowing us down if we don’t keep up with the innovations."
Utrecht researchers show that the transition to innovative and societally relevant science and policy is possible without animal testing.
The use of laboratory animals is becoming less and less accepted by society