ICCVAM Communities of Practice webinars
In 2015, ICCVAM initiated a series of Communities of Practice webinars to provide opportunities for detailed presentations on a current topic relevant to alternative test method development.
- The 2022 webinar, presented on Jan. 25, was titled New Approach Methodologies to Assess (Developmental) Neurotoxicity. In this webinar, two scientists discussed new approach methodologies (NAMs) that are being considered or developed for assessing potential effects of chemicals on the nervous system. NICEATM scientist Helena Hogberg, Ph.D., discussed use of in vitro assays for developmental neurotoxicity assessment. Jyotshnabala Kanungo, Ph.D., of the FDA National Center for Toxicological Research summarized their studies using zebrafish to assess the effects of dietary supplements on drug safety and drug–drug interactions.
- The Jan. 30, 2023, Communities of Practice webinar focused on Emerging Approaches for Anchoring Biological Relevance of New Approach Methodologies. In this webinar, three scientists from the academic and private sectors discussed approaches to evaluating NAMs that focus on the biological relevance of the NAM to the species of regulatory interest. Lorna Ewart, Ph.D., of Emulate Inc. discussed their work on using MPS to predict liver toxicity. James McKim, Ph.D., IONTOX/LifeNet Health LifeSciences summarized studies using integrated organ models of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Finally, Tamara Tal, Ph.D., Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research UFZ explained their approach to building confidence in larval zebrafish behavior assays.