U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

National Toxicology Program

National Toxicology Program

UPDATE NewsletterUPDATE Newsletter

January - June 2018

January

Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D.NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

NICEATM deputy director participates in international meeting on skin sensitization, and recent workshop reports.


Brian Berridge, DVM, Ph.D.Brian Berridge takes the helm at the National Toxicology Program

Brian Berridge, the new head of NTP, seeks to integrate cutting-edge methods, including animal studies, cell-based toxicity testing, and computer modeling.


John BucherNTP board meeting highlights new tools, technologies, and methods

New tools, technologies, and approaches in toxicology were key topics for the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors.


Linda BirnbaumSociety of Toxicology 2018 awards recognize Birnbaum, Ramaiahgari

SOT awardees for 2018 include NIEHS and National Toxicology Program Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., and NTP postdoc Sreenivasa Ramaiahgari, Ph.D.


February

ICCVAM logoNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Webinar presents overview of machine learning, ICCVAM co-chair receives honor, NIEHS offers funding to small businesses for technologies of interest to Tox21, and recent publications.


Casey WarrenRoadmap to guide progress toward replacing animal use

Progress toward replacing animal use in safety testing of drugs and chemicals will be guided by a new strategic roadmap.


March

Icons depicting five toxic endpointsNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Registration open for Workshop on Predictive Models for Acute Oral Systemic Toxicity.


plastic water bottlesNTP releases first CLARITY-BPA report, more to come

The National Toxicology Program released a draft report from part of a study on health effects in rats from exposure to bisphenol A, or BPA.


Chris WeisFederal agencies exchange PFAS updates

Sixteen federal agencies shared research findings and data gaps on chemicals known as PFAS, paving the way for future information exchanges.


April

ICE Logo-No TextNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Integrated Chemical Environment adds formulations viewer, and papers describe analysis of defined approaches for skin sensitization testing.


Birnbaum and PedenBirnbaum speaks at allergy, asthma, immunology meeting

Linda Birnbaum delivered a keynote address at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting.


John BucherNTP cell phone studies — experts recommend elevated conclusions

An expert panel recommended the National Toxicology Program indicate stronger evidence that cell phone radiofrequency radiation caused tumors in rats.


Watson, Birnbaum, HubbardMany NIEHS and NTP advances shared at 2018 SOT

NIEHS and NTP scientists shared new findings and methodological advances in approximately 100 presentations at the Society of Toxicology meeting.


May

ICCVAM LogoNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Registration is open for May 24 ICCVAM Public Forum, abstracts due for Pan-American Conference on Alternatives, and EPA extends comment period on draft strategy to reduce animal use.


Nigel WalkerExpert panel reviews CLARITY-BPA Core Study

An expert panel agreed with CLARITY-BPA findings that the core study portion showed minimal effects of BPA in rats at the doses studied.


Nicole KleinstreuerAdvancing computer models that predict toxicity

Computer model developers and regulators reviewed models to predict chemical and drug toxicity at a National Toxicology Program workshop.


June

Generic lab ware NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Slides and videocast recording available for ICCVAM Public Forum, and NICEATM requests information on technologies for identifying developmental toxicants.


Recio and SwartzFrom single cells to whales — genotoxicity across the biological spectrum

The Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society meeting highlighted how exposures affect life forms across the biological spectrum.


Nicole KleinstreuerNTP promotes international use of nonanimal test methods

The National Toxicology Program joined an international meeting to advance international acceptance of nonanimal chemical test methods.


Rick PaulesFederal partners put Tox21 plan into action

Federal partners gathered at NIEHS May 15-16 to discuss the implementation of the new Toxicology in the 21st Century strategic plan.


July - December 2018

July

Botulinum NeurotoxinNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Request for information, and other activities and events.


Brian BerridgeNTP framework for innovation rolled out at board meeting

NTP Associate Director Brian Berridge introduced the Translational Toxicology Pipeline Plan to the Board of Scientific Counselors.


Casey WarrenPlan to reduce animal testing showcased at public forum

Public forum participants praised a new plan to replace animal use for U.S. safety testing and encouraged agencies to continue progress.


August

William JansenSACATM to meet

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) will meet at NIEHS on September 5-6, 2018.


ICCVAM logoICCVAM publishes 2016-2017 biennial report

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) has published a report summarizing activities of member agencies during 2016 and 2017.


generic labwareNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

FDA to hold a public meeting on predictive toxicology roadmap, and NICEATM/EPA project receives EPA award.


cell free DNAWorkshop on circulating cell free DNA

A 1.5-day, cross-divisional workshop, Circulating Cell Free DNA: Applications in the Clinical and Toxicology Setting, will be held at NIEHS on September 24-25, 2018.


September

cell free DNAWorkshop on circulating cell free DNA

A 1.5-day, cross-divisional workshop, Circulating Cell Free DNA: Applications in the Clinical and Toxicology Setting, will be held at NIEHS on September 24-25, 2018.


FlaskNTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

SACATM meeting summary, NICEATM workshop on vaccine testing, Spanish translation of U.S. strategic roadmap, and EPA funding opportunity.


ICCVAMReplacing animal testing — progress and challenges

Environmental Factor spoke with Warren Casey, Ph.D., on progress and challenges in reducing and replacing animals in safety testing.


October

culture flask and moleculeThe NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Pyrogen testing workshop summary, postdoctoral opportunities available for cardiotoxicity projects, webinars, workshop consider alternatives for rabies vaccine testing, EPA requests nominees for TSCA advisory committee, and recent NICEATM publications.


four images including a pan with food in it, fingers wrapping tape around a thread, young child, firefighters fighting a firePFAS in the spotlight across the globe

From the halls of the U.S. Congress to an international gathering in Zurich, the health effects of PFAS are in the spotlight. NIEHS supports a variety of research about these chemicals.


photograph of metal food cansCLARITY-BPA releases grantee data and core study report

The CLARITY-BPA program released two resources Sept. 28 — data sets from grantee studies and the final core study report.


Berridge addresses the meetingRegulators play key roles in replacing animals in tox testing

To help reduce animal use in toxicity testing, regulators should clarify what information they need and which new approaches they accept.


November

ICE logoThe NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

International meeting considers new approaches to test method validation; updates to integrated chemical environment; and workshop recommends actions to advance alternatives for rabies vaccine testing.


stock image of three cell phonesHigh exposure to radio frequency radiation associated with cancer in male rats

The National Toxicology Program found clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation developed cancerous heart tumors.


Brian BerridgeNew NTP leadership brings new direction

The National Toxicology Program’s advisory board discussed new directions shared by Associate Director Brian Berridge, D.V.M., Ph.D.


December

ICCVAM logoThe NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods

Upcoming webinar will describe non-animal approaches for inhalation toxicity testing; and recent NICEATM publications.


Warren Casey conducts meetingBuilding confidence in new scientific methods challenges researchers

Warren Casey, Ph.D., joined scientists from around the world at a meeting on building scientific confidence in new test methods.


graphic of DNA methylationGEMS meeting explores interplay of genes, environment, and disease

The fall meeting of the North Carolina Genetics and Environmental Mutagenesis Society focused on the environment and gene regulation.


The Update Newsletter is produced by NTP Office of Liaison, Policy, and Review. The text is not copyrighted and can be reprinted without permission. If you use parts of the Update Newsletter in your publication, we ask that you provide us with a copy for our records. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Director of Office of Liaison, Policy, and Review and Editor-in-Chief: Mary Wolfe | Managing Editor: Anna Lee Mosley