National Toxicology Program

January - June 2016

January

NIEHS celebrates 50 years of environmental health research

On Nov. 1, NIEHS will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The year of celebrations kicks off Jan. 21 with a public oral history event.

Five viruses are known human carcinogens, say NTP peer reviewers

Peer reviewers agreed with the National Toxicology Program preliminary recommendations to list five viruses as known to be human carcinogens.

NTP board approves research concepts

Mountaintop removal and fluoride were among the research areas reviewed by the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors.

Casey recognized for contributions to animal welfare

The Society of Toxicology named Warren Casey, Ph.D., of the National Toxicology Program, winner of the 2016 Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award.

February

ICCVAM webinar reviews QSARs and read-across techniques

ICCVAM hosted a webinar about computational methods that use data about structure, properties, and toxicity from tested chemicals to predict characteristics of untested chemicals.

Annual NIEHS awards recognize outstanding 2015 achievements

The annual NIEHS awards ceremony commemorated the institute’s 50th anniversary, honoring teams and individuals for accomplishments in 2015.

NIEHS 50th anniversary kickoff welcomed retirees, celebrated high times

Five NIEHS alumni returned Jan. 22 to help kickoff a yearlong celebration of the institute’s 50th anniversary.

Feds launch $1 million toxicity testing challenge

Innovative thinkers are sought for a $1 million federal challenge to advance the field of predictive toxicology by addressing metabolites.

March

Upcoming workshop on shift work, light at night, and circadian disruption

NTP will host a workshop to inform strategies for its health hazard assessment and identify areas for research.

NIEHS science informs federal response to Flint water crisis

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., presented data on lead and current plans for addressing the Flint water crisis, at a meeting of NIH directors.

Expert panel agrees with draft NTP reports

A panel of experts agreed with draft NTP conclusions on carcinogenicity and toxicity of antimony trioxide and the metalworking fluid TRIM VX.

Connecting high throughput assay results to animal test outcomes

Attendees at a recent workshop identified steps needed for high throughput test data to begin serving existing toxicity testing needs.

Society of Toxicology meeting to feature sessions led by NIEHS and NTP

Scientists from NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program will be involved in numerous sessions at the upcoming SOT meeting in New Orleans.

Teratology Society recognizes Kleinstreuer

The Teratology Society recognized Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., from the National Toxicology Program, with the 2016 F. Clarke Fraser New Investigator Award.

April

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM)

NICEATM presents webinar series, ICCVAM holds a public forum, NICEATM deputy director gives keynote, and new EPA guidance for testing pesticides.

Cutting edge talks, awards, and more at annual toxicology meeting

NIEHS staff at the annual Society of Toxicology meeting led classes, demonstrated technology, exhibited posters, and discussed grants.

Local tox meeting highlights futuristic science

The North Carolina Society of Toxicology continued its honored tradition March 2, showcasing developments at the leading edge of toxicology.

Light and disruption of sleep cycles explored at NTP workshop

The National Toxicology Program assembled an international panel of experts to discuss how disruptions to circadian rhythms affect health.

May

ICCVAM to hold public forum

A public forum for updates on test methods and approaches will be held May 25.

Mold exposures promote both allergic and inflammatory responses

Scientists at NIEHS and NIOSH reported insights into both allergic and inflammatory responses in the lungs of mice inhaling mold spores.

Geneticists highlight communication, outreach, and careers

The Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society’s spring meeting took a new approach, focusing on outreach and communicating science.

Carcinogens concepts receive input from NTP advisers

National Toxicology Program advisers gave scientific input on the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, and certain water disinfection by-products.

Alzheimer’s researchers consider brain metals, iron needs closer look

NIEHS scientists found metals levels in brain fluid do not represent frontal cortex levels, and samples from Alzheimer’s patients had more iron.

NTP star trainee receives three awards for her work

NTP predoctoral trainee Dierdre Tucker received three awards for her studies on health effects of alternatives to bisphenol A.

Students shine as Scholars Connect wraps fourth year

The NIEHS Scholars Connect Spring Symposium recognized the four students completing their year and named one as Outstanding NSCP Scholar.

Science in the Cinema draws kids and parents to NIEHS anniversary event

The first NIEHS Science in the Cinema event drew about 200 kids and parents to a free showing of “WALL-E” and hands-on science activities.

June

ICCVAM forum highlights recent activities and future plans

On May 25, ICCVAM held its annual public forum to discuss activities related to the development and validation of test methods and approaches that may replace, reduce, or refine animal use.

NTP releases rodent studies on cell phone radiofrequency radiation

NTP discussed new findings on potential health hazards of cell phone radiofrequency radiation in a May 27 telephone press conference.

Kleinstreuer highlights groundbreaking approaches to safety testing

Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., highlighted groundbreaking advances in chemical safety testing to science enthusiasts in Research Triangle Park.

Ten postbacs represent NIEHS at NIH Postbac Poster Day

Ten NIEHS postbaccalaureate fellows shared their research at the National Institutes of Health Postbac Poster Day.

Challenges in studying hazards of botanicals explored at NTP workshop

About 300 people attended a National Toxicology Program workshop exploring challenges faced by researchers studying botanical supplements.

Toxicology community remembers mutagenesis pioneer Heinrich Malling

Heinrich Malling, Ph.D., a major a figure in genetic toxicology, died May 23 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

July - December 2016

July

Anniversary year features first NIEHS Global Environmental Health Day

Scientists, policy experts, and students from the local area discussed efforts to advance global environmental health, through research, collaboration, and education.

Mitochondrial roles in inflammation explored at NIEHS workshop

Scientists from NIEHS and around the country explored the links between inflammation, mitochondrial metabolism, and the environment in a workshop at NIEHS.

Native American health and research spotlighted at June events

NIEHS played a key role in two Native American health and research events in June, including an award for Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D.

NTP board advises on study nominations and more

At the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors June meeting, Scott Masten, Ph.D., reviewed nominations, setting the stage for discussion of new studies.

Plan to replace animal use shared at public forum

Efforts to develop a U.S. roadmap for replacement of animal use were highlighted at a May 25 public forum.

Research on botanicals takes center stage at community event

National Toxicology Program genetic toxicologist Stephanie Smith-Roe, Ph.D., shared black cohosh research at a lunchtime seminar.

August

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM)

NICEATM participated in multiple meetings and requested information on test methods for developmental and acute systemic toxicity.

Concern over perfluorinated chemicals increasing

From small towns in New York, to research laboratories and the halls of Congress, PFOA and PFOS are a growing concern.

The Society of Toxicology and NIEHS — 50 Years of Collaboration

SOT celebrated the NIEHS 50th anniversary with a symposium on collaboration, past and future, to create a safer and healthier world.

New tool for economic analyses in environmental health research

NIEHS has released a new tool to help environmental health researchers who want to include economic analyses in their studies.

September

NICEATM

The 2014-2015 Biennial Progress Report from ICCVAM is published and NICEATM presents at the American Chemical Society National Meeting.

Research needed on low-dose chemical mixtures and cancer

Authors of a new paper call for research on whether environmental exposures to mixtures of noncarcinogenic chemicals may lead to cancer.

Explore fifty years of NIEHS milestones on new interactive site

Important milestones from 50 years of NIEHS history are now available for exploring in a new interactive timeline.

October

NICEATM

A congressional briefing, an expert meeting on inhalation toxicity, and annual advisory committee meeting were the key events in the past month.

Raymond Tice Honored by ARDF

Raymond Tice received an award from the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation.

Case study on hexavalent chromium reflects impact of NTP research

Using hexavalent chromium as a case study, the National Toxicology Program developed a new approach to evaluating impact of its research.

Birnbaum receives North Carolina’s highest civilian honor

NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., was one of seven recipients of the 2016 North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.

Reflecting on 25 years of endocrine disruption research

Researchers, policy makers, and others met to reflect on 25 years of endocrine disruptor research, as part of the NIEHS 50th anniversary.

Furniture manufacturers invite talk on assessing safer chemicals

A group of furniture manufacturers invited Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., to speak on finding safer alternatives to chemicals used in the industry.

November

14th Report on Carcinogens released

The newly updated Report on Carcinogens was released November 3, and includes the listings for 7 new substances, including five viruses, a chemical, and a metallic element.

NIH recognizes 12 champions of environmental health research

The Champion of Environmental Health Research Awards recognize 12 individuals for their significant contributions to the field.

Fifty years of NIEHS captured in history and science collections

Mementos and artifacts collected throughout this golden anniversary year are now available on the 50th Anniversary web pages.

New initiative to modernize regulatory toxicity testing

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Methods wholeheartedly endorsed speeding up efforts to reduce animals use in toxicology testing.

December

NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

NICEATM requests data on zebrafish embryo chemical screening and NLM host tutorials on ToxTutor and ALTBIB.

Seven substances added to 14th Report on Carcinogens

The report, released Nov. 3, added trichloroethylene, cobalt and certain cobalt compounds, and five viruses linked to cancer in humans.

Kleinstreuer receives Lush Prize Young Researcher award

Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., won a Lush Cosmetics Young Researcher — Americas Prize, for work to eliminate animal use in safety testing.

Celebrating public health and NIEHS

NIEHS participation in the American Public Health Association meeting in Denver emphasized recent public health milestones and paths forward.

NIEHS scientists play key roles in genetics meeting

NIEHS scientists played central roles at the fall meeting of the Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society.

Toxicologists share novel insights on stem cells and epigenetics

The North Carolina Chapter of the Society of Toxicology meeting explored how stem cell and epigenetics innovations may serve toxicology.