National Toxicology Program

January - June 2021

January

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

ALTBIB moves to NTP website; ICCVAM Communities of Practice webinar on mixtures toxicity January 26; and FDA launches pilot program to support novel approaches to drug development.

Novel strategies for toxicological research discussed by NTP board

The NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program aims to share findings faster and tackle cardiovascular, neurodevelopmental diseases.

Triclosan worsens fatty liver disease in mice

The antibacterial compound, found in consumer products and some drinking water, worsened liver health in diabetic mice fed a high-fat diet.

February

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

EPA finalizes guidance to waive toxicity tests on animal skin; New FDA report highlights progress in advancing alternatives; Minutes available from 2020 SACATM meeting; NICEATM and ICCVAM activities at SOT; Report available for 2019 Acute Toxicity Workshop; NICEATM research featured in special issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology.

Chemicals in the environment can harm maternal health

A pregnant woman’s exposures may affect the baby as well as her own longer-term health.

March

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

Update available: EPA list of alternative test methods; EURL ECVAM issues status report on alternatives; Slides and video available from ICCVAM January 26 webinar; Special issue of Frontiers in In Vitro Toxicology on new approach methodologies; Chemical Research in Toxicology special issue focuses on computational toxicology; Workshop report available: Application of NAMs in support of read-across; and New toxicity prediction model provides broader and improved predictions.

Dixon, Germolec, King-Herbert step into leadership of global scientific organizations

Recognition for outstanding NIEHS researchers is in the spotlight during Women’s History Month.

Innovative research into cancer, mixtures headlines DNTP board meeting

Division of National Toxicology Program initiatives include environmental contributors to cancer, effects of combined chemical exposures.

Organs-on-a-chip for COVID-19 research group led by NTP center

Federal agencies collaborate on microphysiological systems to accelerate development of new treatments.

Computational toxicology featured in special journal issue

Nicole Kleinstreuer co-edited a collection of computational toxicology articles in a special issue of the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.

April

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

NICEATM releases ICE 3.3; DNTP postdoctoral fellow wins SOT specialty section Young Investigator award; NICEATM paper named Paper of the Year by SOT specialty section; and Recent publications.

NIEHS research front and center at Society of Toxicology meeting

Science communication, microplastics pollution, cannabis use during pregnancy, and more were discussed by institute scientists and grantees.

Microbiome workshop dives deep into expanding field

More than 500 researchers — from senior scientists to undergraduate students — participated in a virtual NIEHS workshop.

NIOSH 50th anniversary honored by National Toxicology Program

Common goals and collaborative research signify the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s participation in the NTP.

May

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

Registration open for ICCVAM Public Forum May 27; CPSC issues proposed guidance on use of alternative methods, Comments due June 14; FDA to hold Science Forum May 26-27; NICEATM paper describes variability in skin irritation data; New review article describes non-animal approaches to eye irritation testing; NICEATM meeting activities.

John Bucher, who studied toxic agents from A to Z, retires from NIEHS

During almost four decades at the institute, he brought innovation to many complex issues, such as reducing animal use in research.

Help guide research on drinking water, from the source to the tap

NIEHS is working with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to boost knowledge about emerging contamination issues.

Inhalation exposures, emerging chemicals addressed by NIEHS scientists

These research programs were front and center at the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors meeting.

New predictive model may speed toxicity screens, reduce animal use

The freely available CATMoS combines the strengths of 139 different computational approaches to organic chemical screening.

June

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

ICCVAM Public Forum held May 27; Save the date for SACATM in September; NICEATM to collaborate with Unilever on development of predictive model for skin sensitization; Paper describes global collaboration to develop predictive models for acute oral toxicity; Video, slides available from spring workshop on use of MPS for COVID research; Abstract submission open for ASCCT annual meeting, deadline July 15; and NICEATM activities at upcoming meetings.

July - December 2021

July

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

NICEATM releases ICE 3.4; OECD issues guideline for skin sensitization assessment and other new documents; Kamel Mansouri receives QSAR 2021 Promising Early Career Award; Video available from webinar on MPS database.

Novel toxicity assessment strategies highlighted at DNTP board meeting

NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP) scientists discussed their efforts to provide timely, human-relevant toxicity data.

Animal replacement accomplishments draw broad interest

Federal agency advancement of nonanimal chemical safety testing methods showcased at May public forum.

August

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

NICEATM and ICCVAM activities at World Congress; Slides and video available from ICCVAM Public Forum; ICCVAM Advisory Committee to meet in September - Registration open; Recent publications.

New chemical testing approach will help to replace animal use

NIEHS researchers and their collaborators developed the recently accepted nonanimal testing method, which will be used globally.

September

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

Agenda and other materials available for September 28-29 SACATM meeting; NICEATM presents webinar series on skin sensitization; Kleinstreuer to serve on National Academies panel examining mammalian toxicity tests; NICEATM scientists supporting training on alternatives to animal ase for acute toxicity tests; Article reviews activities of MPS working group.

Climate change and health research drives new NIH-wide seminar series

Experts focused on climate adaptation, health equity, and big data during Aug. 16 event hosted by NIEHS.

Hazardous chemicals, data science challenges on tap at DNTP meeting

NIEHS Division of the National Toxicology Program scientists described related initiatives during Aug. 4 virtual event.

Interns research PFAS, disease vulnerability, cancer, and more

Poster sessions capped their two-month NIEHS experience, and mentors from the institute guided them along the way.

October

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

SACATM meeting focuses on ecotoxicity, method validation; NICEATM presents webinar series on skin sensitization; NICEATM contributes to new features in QSAR Toolbox; NICEATM activities at ASCCT annual meeting; Paper describes new and updated ICE tools.

Harmonizing research vocabulary could spur discovery, collaboration

Scientists involved with the Environmental Health Language Collaborative shared challenges, opportunities during workshop hosted by NIEHS.

Innovation prize awarded to former NIEHS Director Kenneth Olden

The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute recognized him for his lifetime of work advancing health equity.

Scientists explore exposures, microbiome, and nervous system

Seventeen experts examined the gut-brain connection and its role in environmental health during two-day NIEHS workshop.

November

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

NICEATM releases ICE 3.5. EPA calls for nominations for Board of Scientific Counselors; due by November 12. FDA draft guidance on carcinogenicity testing; comment by December 6. NICEATM activities at ASCCT; NICEATM scientist honored. Recent publications.

Agencies advised on reducing animal testing, embracing alternatives

Experts at federal meeting stressed importance of human relevance and clear communication.

December

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

Skin sensitization webinar December 8. National Academies workshop on NAMs December 9. Free support offered for NIH small business grant applicants; apply by December 10. Publications available from KMD symposium.

Chemical risk assessment aided by new WHO framework, NIEHS effort

The publication, coauthored by institute scientists, provides guidance on systematic reviews, which help to answer key research questions.

NIEHS sweeps awards at meeting on genetics, cancer, and toxicology

Lifetime Achievement Award given to retired toxicologist Barbara Shane, and trainees take home research honors.