A novel mechanism-based approach for assessment of developmental toxicity of endocrine disruptors

Identification and assessment endocrine disrupting substances (EDs) is an important issue for meeting the global Sustainable Development Goals and the Swedish Environmental Objective for a non-toxic environment.

Regulatory health risk assessment of EDs is complex and currently requires extensive animal testing to identify toxicological effects, as well as a high level of understanding concerning the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.

The purpose of this project is to make use of mechanistic data from novel in silico and in vitro models to develop and evaluate a novel mechanism-based approach for the assessment of EDs.

A strength of the project is that we will combine methods, data and expertise from several ongoing projects and research activities.

We will use Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) methodology to connect data on molecular and cellular mechanisms to health effects on the organism level that are relevant for humans.

AOP-networks that describe different mechanisms for endocrine disruption leading to developmental toxicity will be developed and used in case studies with specific model substances to investigate how mechanistic data can be used to draw conclusions about adverse health effects.

Apart from contributing new knowledge that can be used to improve testing and assessment of EDs, this project also has the potential of creating new and constructive synergies between ongoing research activities.