Summer 2016 Newsletter

Member News

American College of Toxicology Webinars

Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessmennt (ACTRA)

ACTRA HIGHLIGHTS 2015

The Theme of the 8th Annual Scientific Meeting and Workshop was “Toxicology in the 21st Century: How Does It Apply to the Water Industry?” in honour of the late Professor Michael Moore. Professor Michael Moore was one of the founders of ACTRA and was serving as Vice-President at the time of his untimely death in August 2014. Throughout his life, Michael made numerous contributions to toxicology and risk assessment and was an inspiration to his peers.

The 2015 ASM was held in Brisbane, Australia at the Convention and Exhibition Centre last October and was preceded by a one-day Workshop with a relatable theme of “Sustainable Water Quality and Treatment.” A number of outstanding speakers flew in from across Australia and the United States including invited speaker Dr. Robert Kavlock, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) who made a fascinating presentation on the ToxCast, ExpoCast, and Tox21 programs for 21st Century toxicological assessments. A wide number of other topics were covered by other speakers ranging from Water Quality Regulation, Bioanalytical Tools, Disinfection By-Products, Cyanobacterial Toxins, Community Engagement, Research Priorities, Mechanism-Based Bioassays for Predicting Toxicity, Application of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern to Recycled Water Quality, and many more.

A feature event of the ASM is the presentation of the ACTRA Student Prize. Each year ACTRA aims to increase the recognition of students in the fields of toxicology, risk assessment, and/or ecotoxicology by offering one candidate a free conference registration to the ASM as well as $500 spending money to assist with travel expenses. Last year’s Student Prize was awarded to Thomas McGrath from RMIT University. Thomas made a short oral presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting on his winning application titled, “Brominated Flame Retardants, Emerging Risks to Human Health and the Environment.”

The Student Prize runner up, Raghad Nathom Al-Saadi, was also given the opportunity to present her paper titled “Toxicity Evaluation of Copper and Zinc Cyanide Complexes Using Eglena gracilis Z and SMZ As an In Vivo Model.”

The Student Prize is an excellent opportunity to help students increase their profile and credibility as well as giving them the opportunity to attend ACTRA Annual Scientific Meetings. Taking part in the Annual Scientific Meeting and getting to know professionals in the field can open up opportunities for students down the road.

WHAT’S COMING UP IN 2016?

9th Annual Scientific Meeting and Continuing Education Day 
Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 September 2016, Ayers House Adelaide, Australia

The Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment cordially invites you to attend the 9th Annual Scientific Meeting and Continuing Education Day at Ayers House in Adelaide from 21–23 September 2016. ACTRA’s Annual Scientific Meeting aims to advance the study and application of toxicology and health risk assessment as professional scientific disciplines by offering the latest research, innovations, case studies and applications in toxicology and risk assessment.

The Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on 22–23 September will offer an advanced learning environment by providing an open platform for discussion, debate and professional development in the industry. The ASM Plenary presentations will address the ASM theme ‘Selection and Use of Toxicity Reference Values and Screening Guidance Values in Health Risk Assessment’ with International keynote speaker Bill Farland, formerly with the US EPA and now Professor, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University, leading the discussion. Research papers addressing the ASM theme and contemporary issues in toxicology and health risk assessment will also be presented by ACTRA members and industry experts over the course of the two days.

Call for Abstracts Now Open
The call for Abstracts to the 9th Annual Scientific Meeting is now open. Although topics directly related to the ASM theme are preferred, abstracts relating to or dealing with toxicology and/or risk assessment are most welcome. To submit an abstract, visit the abstract submission page. Submissions close 31 July 2016.

Student Prize Now Open
Applications for the Student Prize are also open and ACTRA actively encourages current full time or part time undergraduate or postgraduate students conducting original research in the field of toxicology and/or risk assessment or ecotoxicology to apply. Students do not need to be members of ACTRA, however proof of student status will be required upon application. To apply for the student prize visit the ASM student prize page. Submissions close 30 June 2016.

The Continuing Education day to be held on Wednesday 21 September will offer two CE sessions on recent advances in Toxicology and Risk Assessment. One session will be presented by Bill Farland and will discuss recent advances in human health risk assessment, focusing on toxicity testing and AOP development, and the other will be presented by John Edwards and Jackie Wright and will ask the question: Is there a need for guidelines for assessment and clean-up of premises used as drug labs?

Both the Annual Scientific Meeting and Continuing Education day will attract an audience of toxicologists, environment health risk assessors, consultants, environmental managers, industrialists, government officials, chemical regulators, policy makers, research scientists, and postgraduate students studying in the field catering to influential personnel in commercial, academic and government sectors. This three-day event will allow delegates to share their research findings and field experience; discuss their insights into important technical issues; build their personal and company profile; network with peers; meet other academics and specialists from other disciplines; advance their knowledge and research; and allow delegates to set the agenda in their sector. If you would like to support the work of ACTRA whilst promoting your organisation to key industry players, please visit the ACTRA sponsorship page to download your sponsorship package today.

To register for this year’s ASM and CE Day, please visit the ACTRA registration page. Early Bird Registration closes 12 August, 2016. Group discounts and student rates are available.

ACTRA thanks Golder Associates, ToxConsult Pty Ltd, and the Society of Toxicology for assisting with sponsorship of this meeting.

ACTRA Workshop on Regulatory Toxicology—A Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of ACTRA
Friday July 22, 2016, Rydges Hotel, Capital Hill, Canberra

In the past ten years, ACTRA has organized several workshops on regulatory toxicology as stand-alone workshops or in conjunction with themed sessions at the Annual Scientific Meetings. These workshop topics have included neurotoxicity of VOCs (2009) asbestos in soil (2009); risk assessment of carcinogens (2010); amalgamating epidemiology and toxicity assessment (2011); life-stage assessment in HRA (2012); mixtures toxicology (2012 & 2015); HRA of lands with a mining legacy (2013); endocrine disruptors (2013); and advances in alternative methods for toxicity assessment (2014).

Since 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of ACTRA, it is timely that ACTRA has developed a workshop to review the current state of regulatory toxicology in Australia to highlight current issues in health risk assessment and to invite discussion of what might assist Australian chemicals and environmental health regulators over the next decade. The workshop is relevant to government, industry and consultant scientists who deal with the chemical regulatory system in Australia.

Tentative workshop topics include:

• A review of the contributions ACTRA has made to regulatory toxicology over the past ten years.
• A review of the changing chemicals regulatory scene in government.
• What are the training needs in toxicology and how might these be met?
• How can ACTRA collaborate with the Regulatory Sciences Network (RSN) to develop a program of continuing education in coming years?
• US FDA considerations for preclinical studies for cell and gene therapy products.
• Adverse Outcome Pathways.
• Interference RNA (iRNA) technologies—a new paradigm in toxicology.
• Glyphosate carcinogenesis—how did IARC and EFSA reach different conclusions?
• The GATE system for evaluating the quality of papers that inform environmental health risk assessment.

Early bird registration opens in May. All RSN Agencies will receive a discounted rate for groups of five or more members per agency before 30 June 2016.

For further details on how to register, workshop topics, and program information please visit the ACTRA Workshop page. To register your interest to attend please email secretariat@actra.org.au.

Contact Us: ACTRA Secretariat
Suite 5, 250 Gore Street, Fitzroy
Victoria, 3065
T: 03 9416 3833
M: 04 2308 2521

Dutch Society of Toxicology (NVT)

(PICTURE 1a Award winner Bas ter Braak and 1b Thesis cover) As a tribute to the neuro-toxicologist professor Joep van den Bercken from the Utrecht University, the Dutch Society of Toxicology established a prize to stimulate research on young toxicologists. The prize, worth € 1,000, is awarded annually at the annual meeting of the NVT. The selection of candidates and the award ceremony takes place under the responsibility of a committee chaired by the president of the association. This year, six entries that were all of good quality, were assessed. The award committee had a hard time to choose the best thesis as the topics where rather diverse and across the diversity of toxicology.

Altogether the thesis of Bas ter Braak entitled “Carcinogenicity or Insulin Analogues” has been rated as the best. The jury mentions about “Of all the dissertations to assess the most original well published mechanistic targets and aesthetics and original approach.”

The research described in this thesis, shows that glargine has an increased mitogenic potential, but that there is no direct evidence that this also leads to an increased risk of developing cancer in a living organism. All other commercial insulin analogues were not found to induce increased cell division as compared to normal human insulin. This is an original combination of state-of-the-art techniques and original hypothesis mechanistic approach. Parts of the thesis were published in journals with good impact. Very original presentation with additional photos to beginning each chapter.

Millions of diabetic patients use insulin-like molecules, also called insulin analogues, to regulate their blood glucose levels. Besides the improved pharmacokinetic parameters it was found that some of these analogues have an increased binding affinity for the cancer-related insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). Consequently, these molecules might be involved in cancer initiation and/or progression. To get a better insight into insulin analogue induced carcinogenicity, we extensively investigated the carcinogenic potential of all clinically available insulin analogues. We demonstrated that one insulin analogue (glargine) induced tumor cell growth via IGF1R activation in human breast cancer cell line model. However, in the human body the injected glargine is rapidly metabolized into M1 and M2, these glucose lowering metabolites did not show an increased activation of mitogenic pathways or lead to increased cell proliferation. Next we performed in vivo experiments with the p53R270H/+WAPCre mouse model. This model develops spontaneous human relevant mammary gland tumors in about 50 weeks. We found that frequent injections with insulin analogues did not decrease the tumor latency time in this model. Fifty of these tumors were isolated and via next generation sequencing we found that none of the chronic insulin analogue treatments induced genetic instability. In contrast to compounds that were able to induce the IGF1R in vivo, glargine did not show an enhanced glycolysis programming or a sustained proliferative signalling. Overall, we found no compelling evidence that any of the clinical available insulin analogue increases breast cancer risk. We think that with this research we have contributed to the improvement of the quality and consistency of the preclinical safety data supporting the development of insulin analogues.

Bas ter Braak was born in Zelhem, The Netherlands, in 1987. He obtained both his BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology at the Wageningen University. During his studies he completed three graduation Master projects (at the Wageningen University, at the Lisbon Technical University in Portugal and at the Emory University in the United States). Directly after completing his studies in 2010 he started working as a PhD student at the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research at the Leiden University, on the project “Carcinogenicity of insulin analogues.” Bas defended his thesis on June 18, 2015. Since then he is employed as a postdoctoral researcher at the Leiden University on a project in which cell signalling reporter stem cell models are established for the mechanistic understanding of liver disease.

In the first months of 2016, and by coincidence all in March, our specialty sections have organized a few professional meetings. First, the section Occupational Toxicology organized a symposium in March on “New aspects in the assessment of skin exposure in the workplace.” This symposium focussed on the question whether there are new tools to assess dermal exposure, as a dermal risk assessment is required in the European REACH legislation. The section Teratology and Reproduction Toxicology organized a symposium with presentations on:

• Impact of prenatal screening on perinatal mortality burden associated with congenital anomalies;
• Research on the development and behaviour of children exposed to anti-epileptic drugs prenatally;
• The application of mouse and human embryonic stem cell models for developmental toxicity testing

The section Risk Assessment held a symposium around the question whether eight years of REACH legislation in Europe has led to risk reduction, as is the aim of REACH. Finally, the section Pharmaceutical Toxicology held a symposium on “Pediatric Drug Development: A Field in Maturation.”

The annual meeting was held on the 1st of June in connection with the PhD-days. The theme of the meeting was “Time: Where Old Meets New.” Prof. Bert van de Horst from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam demonstrated that the time of that day is crucial in the development of adverse effects due to exposure to chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This is all related to biological clock. For example the results published by his group showed internal desynchronization and sleep disturbance as mechanisms linking shift work with cancer development and obesity. In addition, that the efficacy of anti-cancer medication depend on at what the time of the day the treatment is given.

The explanation Is that energy metabolism (producing reactive radicals) and xenobiotic metabolism are prominently controlled by the circadian clock. A strong plea for at least providing details on the time and light/dark situation in the method section of a publication. He concluded that a large number of studies may have over- and underestimated the hazard of chemicals and also that this circadian rhythm applies to in vitro cell culture tests. Prof. Lutwig Hothorn, from the Institute of Biostatistics, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany educated us on what are the strengths and limitations of statistics in toxicology. He warned us not to use p-values as this refers to probabilities but rather use confidence intervals and that we have to present all data in graphs rather than means and standard deviations., and include outliers despite the fact that this later aspect may deviate from our thinking that everybody will more or less respond in the same way with the same magnitude of an effect.

Lastly, we also acknowledged the remarkable contributions the toxicological pathology by Prof. Dr. Ruud Woutersen and Dr. Friek Kupers, who retired this year from TNO, the Netherlands.

In the autumn, more symposia are planned, among others on by the section on genetic toxicology (together with the Belgian Environmental Mutagen Society) with organize a meeting on Big Data in Toxicology—paradigm shift or hype (24 November 2016, Rotterdam, the Netherlands), and the environmental toxicology section on circular economy and recycling, with a focus on the question whether sustainability can run parallel with risk control, looking at for example food packaging and recycling of car tyre rubber for playground tiles.

So the Dutch Society, with an increasing number of members from outside the Netherlands as well a living outside the Netherlands, is expanding and consolidating its international position. We are currently preparing a bid for hosting the IUTOX International Conference of Toxicology in 2022 in the city of Maastricht. Although still some years ahead of us, we have already established a groups of very enthusiastic toxicologists lead by the Prof. Theo de Kok from the Maastricht University that are developing great plans for a dynamic meeting that will not only exist of top quality scientific sessions but will also put emphasis on education and networking. It will be an innovation in toxicology meetings.

Prof. Dr. Flemming Cassee
President of the Dutch Society of Toxicology

German Society of Toxicology

Mission Statement
The German Society of Toxicology aims at connecting research and education in toxicology. The membership encompasses experienced toxicologists as well as young toxicologists.

The German Society of Toxicology supports the professional development of all its members by providing opportunities in advanced courses and a curriculum consisting of fifteen 1-week courses aimed at the education of young scientists in toxicology. The course system is organized and supported by members of the society. As toxicology is only taught at the master level in only three universities in Germany, our courses offer education for a broader audience of scientists with a different background (e.g. in chemistry, pharmacy, biology).

Hereby, the German Society of Toxicology contributes to the general knowledge on toxicology in the society at large. The members of the Society feel obliged to make their knowledge available to the society by serving as experts in national and supranational committees and panels, thus contributing to improving the safety of food, consumer products and working places as well as the environment. The German Society of Toxicology binds their members to the highest ethical standards. This includes respecting the standards of animal protection when experimenting with living animals and to follow the principles of 3R.

In communicating the results of research and their interpretation the members feel obliged to correctly report the findings including also uncertainties which are connected. www.toxikologie.de/toxikologie/mitglied-in-der-gt.html

Society Overview
The society has presently 1,260 members, working in industry, in governmental agencies, in academia, and in consultancy. Forty-five percent of the members are female scientists. The members elect the president and four further members of the executive committee. The society has three committees (Education Committee, Advisory Board, and Congress Program Planning Committee) and six Working Groups (Biogene Toxins; Carcinogenesis; Immunotoxicology; Metabolism & Kinetics; Regulatory Toxicology; 3R in Practices/Alternative Methods).

The Society was founded 1920 as the German Pharmacological Society, renamed German Pharmacological and Toxicological Society (DGPT). Since 2009 an independent Society as the German Society of Toxicology exists under the roof of the DGPT.

Society Activities

Annual Meeting 
The Annual meeting is held in conjunction with the German Society of Pharmacology and the German Society on Clinical Pharmacology. By tradition the meeting is held in early March. The Congress Program Planning Committee is supporting the President in organizing the Annual Meeting.

From the Annual Meeting 2016 (February 29 to March 3, 2016) in Berlin, Germany

Attendants: 843

Main lecture: Alternative Methods in Toxicology Testing, Professor Monika Schaefer-Korting, Vice-President of the Free University Berlin

Special Event: Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy, Nobel Prize Winner Professor Stefan Hell

Symposia:

• Advances in risk assessment
• Biomonitoring and its application
• 3-R and alternative test methods
• Are there rodent tumours which are irrelevant for human risk assessment of chemicals?

Advanced Course:

• Hazard and risk assessment for substances acting on the respiratory tract—the place of animal-free, alternative test methods

Short presentations:

• Organ and neurotoxicity
• Toxic substances, particles and food components
• DNA-damage and cancer
• In vitro systems and mechanistic investigations

Poster sessions

Awards:

• Toxicology Award: Dr. Robert Landsiedel, Ludwigshafen for his outstanding contributions to the safety of nanoparticles
• Young Scientist Merck Award: Dr. Julia Bornhorst, Potsdam, for her work on heavy metals and neurotoxicity

Education
For more than 40 years the society has organized a curriculum with courses (currently 15) and a final examination that is required to become a recognized toxicologist (by the society). Being a recognized toxicologist by the German Society of Toxicology enables the candidate also to become a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT).

The Education Committee and its chairperson are instrumental in these activities. More than 100 members are engaged in organizing and teaching the courses. 
www.toxikologie.de/kommissionen/weiterbildung.html
www.toxikologie.de/weiterbildung.html

Communication 
The Society has a website with information about the Society and about toxicology in Germany. On the website also posted are statements, position papers, and publications of general interest, in particular those from the Societies’ Advisory Board.
www.toxikologie.de/kommissionen/beratung.html
www.toxikologie.de/startseite.html

IUTOX and Your Society
The German Society of Toxicology is a member of IUTOX. It supports the aims of IUTOX by giving financial support. Members of the German Society of Toxicology are actively involved in the work of IUTOX’s EC.

For more information: www.toxikologie.de/startseite.html

Prof. Dr. Ursula Gundert-Remy
Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Campus Charité Mitte
Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin
ursula.gundert-remy@charite.de

Irish Society of Toxicology

Find us on 
Internet: toxicologyireland.com
Facebook: Irish Society of Toxicology
Twitter: @IrishSocTox

The Irish Society of Toxicology, in association with the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland, recently hosted a seminar on May 20, 2016 on the topic of “Endocrine Disruption and Obesity: Is there a link?” According to the WHO, Ireland is on course to have the highest rate of obesity in Europe by 2030. The consensus is that this trend is a clear consequence of lifestyle changes, particularly those that are dietary related. Consequently, efforts to arrest or even reverse this trend focus on the introduction of measures that enable consumers to make healthier lifestyle and dietary choices. But are there other risk factors for obesity? In particular, is there an environmental chemical exposure dimension to the problem? In this short seminar, the findings of the OBELIX project were discussed by Professor Juliette Legler (Brunel University, UK). This three-year project, funded by the European Commission, investigated if prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds in food played a role in the development of obesity and related disorders later in life. We also heard about some contemporary research being carried out on this theme on the island of Ireland from Dr. Lisa Connolly of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast.

The 30th AGM of the Society was held after the seminar. Dr. James McIntosh of the Food Safety Promotion Board ended his term as President of the Society, with Prof. Tara McMorrow of University College Dublin taking up the role. The committee would sincerely like to thank James for his significant contributions to the Society as the President and continuing contribution as an active committee member.

Malaysian Society of Toxicology

THE 2ND MALAYSIAN CONGRESS OF TOXICOLOGY (MYCOT 2015)
29–30 October 2015
The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur

Organized by:
Malaysian Society of Toxicology and Malaysian Society of Environmental Epidemiology

As Malaysia grows in development and affluence, the government began to look into sustainable development. This is to ensure that Malaysia could continue to grow without having to sacrifice the comfort of living, health and environment. However, it is also important to realize that, as a country continues to become modernized and developed, threats from various sources will become more apparent. One of the major concerns faced by modern Malaysia is exposure to chemicals that could affect the society in many ways. It is also worth noting that these chemicals could affect the lives of the Malaysian society through various avenues, from air to water, from food and natural products to drugs, and also from the living space to the workplace. Therefore, Malaysians are now burdened with the task of maintaining a sustainable society, without having to sacrifice her needs and aspirations to grow and become a developed nation. It is on this note that the Malaysian Society of Toxicology (MySOT) paved an opportunity for toxicologists in Malaysia and Asia to meet and discuss the role of toxicology in making sure that sustainability is not compromised.

The Malaysian Society of Toxicology (MySOT) has taken the initiative to address these issues in its second congress. Lead by Prof. Dr. Chow Sek Chuen, the 2nd Malaysian Congress of Toxicology (MyCOT 2015) provided an excellent platform for researchers, scientists, and students to gain information about how toxicology could contribute to sustainability. Hence, the theme of this congress was aptly decided to be “The Role of Toxicology Towards a Sustainable Society.”

In order to address the issue of toxicology’s role towards a sustainable society, the organizing committee has come up with six sub-themes. The themes were Environmental & Occupational Toxicology, Drugs & Natural Products Toxicology, Regulatory Toxicology, Carcinogenesis, Food Toxicology and Epidemiology (in collaboration with Malaysian Society of Environmental Epidemiology). This congress also marked the first collaboration between MySOT and Malaysian Society of Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE).

The congress was officiated by Datuk Dr. Lokman Hakim bin Sulaiman, Deputy Chief Director (Public Health) of Malaysian Ministry of Health and was attended by 62 participants and 20 speakers. There were 2 keynote speakers and 18 invited speakers. The first keynote speaker was Prof. Dr. Jun Kanno from NIH, Japan. He delivered a talk on The Introduction of the Concept of “Signal Toxicity” to Study Endocrine Disruptor Issues and Children’s Toxicology, and to Make Molecular-based Linkage with Classical Toxicology. The second keynote speaker was Dr. Moiz Mumtaz from CDC, USA. The title of his talk was Opportunities to Practice Novel Methods and Techniques in Chemical Risk Assessment.

Among other notable speakers were Dr. George Kass (EFSA Europe), Assoc. Prof Dr. Hiroshi Yamamoto (Tokushima University, Japan), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomonari Masuda (Kyoto University, Japan) and Prof. Dr. Jiro Koyama (Kagoshima University, Japan). In addition, the congress was also graced with talks by prominent Malaysian scientists and policy-makers including Prof. Dr. Teo Soo Huang (Malaysian Cancer Research Institute), Prof. Datuk Dr. A. Rahman A. Jamal (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Dr. Salmaan Hussain Inayat-Hussain (PETRONAS), and Mr. Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar (Department of Environment).

The closing ceremony of MyCOT 2015 was performed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Kok Meng, MySOT President. Several awards were presented during the closing ceremony including Best Speaker (won by Ms. Siew Ee Ling (UKM)) and Best Poster (won by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Kok Meng (UKM), Mr. Pang Kok Lun (UKM), Ms. Chow Paik Wah (UKM), Ms. Nur Syazwani (UKM), Dr. Mary Khoo (FRIM), and Mr. Ooi Then Choon (UKM)). MyCOT 2015 ended on a friendly and jovial note where organizers and participants pledged to join the next congress in two years. The organizing committee expresses gratitude to all sponsors, including IUTOX and individuals who have helped make the congress a success.

Netherlands Society of Toxicology

11th International Particle Toxicology Conference (26 to 30 September 2016)

This September, we will be meeting in Singapore to discuss the state of particle and fibre toxicology. During the 11th International Particle Toxicology Conference (26 to 30 September 2016), we will be sharing our insight gained, discussing new and exciting methods that are on the horizon and identifying ways we can progress and cooperate to reach the next stage of tackling burning issues in particle and fibre toxicology.

Singapore is a high-technology destination with a tropical climate and has daily direct and relatively inexpensive (around 700 Euro) flights to most major cities in Europe. It provides a unique and culturally rich environment for study, learning, and exchange of ideas.

We have gathered an outstanding group of experts to serve on the committees and as invited plenary speakers. We now need your input and contribution by attending the conference.

Society of Toxicology, USA

SOT Global Senior Scholar Exchange Program Helps Build Capacity and Catalyze Collaboration

The Society of Toxicology (SOT) includes members from more than 60 countries and is dedicated to enhancing the impact and relevance of toxicology around the globe. Moreover, SOT international members from around the world are involved as leaders and participants in many of the Society’s activities. Because of the importance of supporting the discipline of toxicology everywhere, SOT has special programs for toxicologists in developing countries as identified by the World Health Organization. The Global Presence web page includes additional information on these programs as well as current and past recipients of these honors.

One of these international initiatives is the Global Senior Scholar Exchange Program (GSSEP). The program funds two mid-career toxicologists from developing countries to attend the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo and to spend four weeks with one or more SOT member hosts from established toxicology programs in academic, government, or industry organization(s) worldwide. The host in turn visits the scholar’s institution to potentially present courses or symposia on toxicology topics of high priority in the developing country. Hosts for the program are competitively selected from a pool of applicants once the Global Scholars have been announced.

In 2016, the GSSEP awardees were Oladipo Ademuyiwa, PhD, and Wafa Hassen, PhD. Dr. Ademuyiwa is Department of Biochemistry Chair and a Professor of Biochemical Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He was hosted by Weimin Gao, PhD, Associate Chair, Department of Environmental Toxicology in the Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Hassen, a Lecturer in the Department of Cellular Physiology and Toxicology at the High Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Tunisia, was hosted by Mohamed Abou-Donia, PhD, Director of the Neurotoxicology Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. More information about these award recipients and hosts is available on the SOT website and in an SOT Communiqué blog.

The SOT reached out to these awardees to seek their comments on this experience. Regarding attendance at the SOT Annual Meeting, Dr. Ademuyiwa noted that “The CE courses attended during the Annual Meeting (most especially the role of mitochondria in the etiology of various pathologies) broadened my scope with respect to heavy metal-induced toxicities, and this has been incorporated into a proposal on the toxicology of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and other on-going studies in my lab.” For Dr. Hassen, she found “…an outstanding roster of speakers in this multidisciplinary scientific program…. There were several sessions about the latest, most exciting cutting-edge discoveries that spotlight the new trends in the science of Biology in general and the field of Toxicology in particular. The SOT Annual Meeting also was an enjoyable forum to share critical updates in my field of research and to network with colleagues.”

The awardees shared some of the highpoints during their stay at their host institutions. For Dr. Hassen, she appreciated the opportunity to visit the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and to meet with NIEHS Director Linda S. Birnbaum. “We discussed my future career plans and ways to foster environmental health sciences in my country.” While in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Hassen held scientific exchanges with scientists at the US Environmental Protection Agency and at the US Food and Drug Administration with SOT 2016–2017 Past President Peter L. Goering. She also met with SOT Councilors Myrtle A. Davis and Ofelia A. Olivero at the National Cancer Institute.

While at Texas Tech, Dr. Ademuyiwa was able to forge research collaborations, one of which will begin soon, “with others being pursued assiduously, which will be critical opportunities for capacity building in my country and ensure a long-term gain from this award.” In addition, he met with graduate faculty members at other institutions to discuss opportunities for funded doctoral studies for his students in Nigeria.

Building future collaborations also was the realized outcome for Dr. Hassen: “With my host and the president of my University, we have been engaged in discussions about the possibility of building partnerships between Duke University and the University of Tunisia. Specifically, we are planning to prepare a common research project between my host team and my research team in Tunisia and to apply for funding to enhance the exchange of students and visiting opportunities between the two teams.” As has been the case since this program was established in 2012, the SOT GSSEP aims to increase the global impact of toxicology on human health and safety by working to strengthen toxicology programs and capacity in universities located in developing countries—and it works.

IUTOX 2016–2019 Executive Committee Nominations

The Executive Committee election process will conclude with elections at the IUTOX General Assembly on October 5, 2016, in Merida, Mexico at the International Congress of Toxicology XIV.

The election process is detailed below as defined by the number of days leading up to the IUTOX General Assembly:

270 days (by January 9, 2016)
Secretary-General requests that Member Societies submit candidate names and a short CV to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.

150 days (by May 8, 2016)
Chairman of the Nominating Committee will provide a provisional slate of names to the Secretary-General.

120 days (by June 7, 2016)
Member Societies (in groups of 3) may make additional nominations to the Secretary-General.

90 days (by July 7, 2016)
Secretary-General sends the final list of nominees to the Member Societies.

30 days (by September 5, 2016)
Member Societies may vote by secret ballot via postal or email ballot OR may vote at the General Assembly.

RESOURCE CORNER

AltTox: Online Resource for Non-Animal Methods of Toxicity Testing

The Alttox.org website, co-sponsored by Proctor & Gamble and The Humane Society of the United States, provides scientific and policy news, information, and resources exclusively about nonanimal methods for toxicity testing. Content includes:

• Updated: Table of Validated & Accepted Alternative Methods
• Updated: Phototoxicity
• Updated: Skin Sensitization
• Our new In the Spotlight article summarizes significant updates to the Table of Validated & Accepted Alternative Methods
• A New Perspective on nanotoxicology, “‘Nano’ Today”
• The May 2016 AltTox Digest is out.

We welcome stakeholder participation and suggestions, or just feel free to browse.

The website was redesigned in 2014 to include a number of new features, including the ability of users to post comments/feedback on website articles, mobile platform access, and the addition of social media tools.

If you have not visited recently, please take another look!

AltTox publishes a free monthly e-newsletter to provide users with ready access to new/updated website content. Each issue also includes a brief feature story. The AltTox Digest is a great way to keep in touch with new developments on the website and, in general, with the field of non-animal testing methods. You can read past issues and subscribe to the AltTox Digest online.

Future Earth

Future Earth Becomes IPCC Observer Organization

During a meeting in Nairobi in April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved Future Earth’s observer status. The accreditation will give Future Earth new opportunities to contribute to the IPCC’s reports. Read more.

Read this full article and other Future Earth news online.

NIH Fogarty International Center

Universities Consider Sustainable Future in Global Health

The symbiotic relationship between planetary health and human health was the overarching theme of the 7th annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) conference held in April. More than 1,800 attendees gathered in San Francisco for the three-day meeting, titled “Bridging to a Sustainable Future in Global Health.” Read full article for more details.

Academic Partnerships Key to Successful Global Health Programs

Partnerships are a key component of successful global health programs but could be strengthened by addressing inequities in relationships between high- and low-income institutions, developing additional South-South collaborations and better preparing North American students for training in low-resource settings. These and other findings were the result of a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), conducted with the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) and the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington. See full article online.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Visit the WHO website for resources including publications, data, WHO programs, partnerships, and other projects.

Access the Risk Assessment Training Course Database to find information regarding human health chemical risk assessment training courses and resources worldwide.

Also find the latest issue of the WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network newsletter. The issue shares that a report on the workshop on the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC), which was featured in a “Call for Comments” in Newsletter Number 4 has now been published. There is also a report of the Sub-Network Meeting in Bangkok at the end of 2015.

New Publication

A new WHO report Public Health Impacts of Chemicals: Knowns and Unknowns (2016) has been published and is online. This report complements the March 2016 report Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments.

This 2016 report estimates that 1.3 million lives and 43 million disability-adjusted life-years were lost in 2012 due to exposures to selected chemicals. However, data are only available for a small number of chemical exposures and people are exposed to many more chemicals every day.

Unintentional poisonings are estimated to cause 193,000 deaths annually with the major part being from preventable chemical exposures, however only 47% of countries have a poisons centre. Addressing lead exposure would prevent 9.8% of intellectual disability, 4% of ischaemic heart disease and 4.6% of stroke in the population, yet many countries do not regulate lead paint.

This report provides examples of effective interventions to prevent death and disease caused by chemicals, and the economic benefits to be gained.

Zika Updates

To help you stay informed about Zika, we have put together the following information resources:

• A “one-stop” access to all guidance that has been developed so far.
• Links to the “Zika App” (iOS and Android versions). This app provides rapid, easy access information in multiple languages—you can also use the attached, interactive PDF to inform others
• A link to the situation reports (updated each Wednesday)
• A link to the WHO main Zika website with fact sheets and other resources you may find useful.

Communicating Radiation Risks in Pediatrics Imaging

Advancing imaging technology has opened new horizons for clinical diagnostics and has greatly improved patient care. As a result, the use of medical imaging has increased rapidly worldwide during recent decades and the spectrum of its applications in pediatric health care has expanded. However, inappropriate use may result in unnecessary and preventable radiation risks, particularly in children. In response to this, WHO established a global collaboration to implement a project on radiation risk communication for healthcare providers in pediatric imaging. The document that has been developed serves as a communication tool about known or potential radiation risks associated with pediatric imaging procedures, to support risk-benefit dialogue during the process of pediatric healthcare delivery. It provides information and resources to support communication strategies, including examples of key messages to use in different scenarios. The tool is primarily intended for healthcare providers who refer children for imaging procedures involving ionizing radiation exposure. Click here to access the report, an executive summary in all languages and a feature story.

Building Healthier Societies through Implementation of the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change stipulates that “the right to health” will be central to the actions taken in the global response to climate change. To build on this historic opportunity, WHO and the Government of France will jointly host a Second Global Conference on Health and Climate: “Building Healthier Societies through implementation of the Paris Agreement.” The Conference will demonstrate how the public health community will support implementation of the Paris Agreement, in order to build healthier and more sustainable societies. The Conference will be held on 7–8 July 2016 in Paris, France.

The Paris Agreement, adopted on 12 December 2015, marks the beginning of a new era in the global response to climate change. The world now has a global climate agreement that will have a major public health policy impact as countries take action. Click here for more information.

Working further on climate and health, WHO has collaborated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) and the United Nations Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and Public Awareness to develop a training manual Climate and Health: Enabling Students and Young Professionals to Understand and Act Upon Climate Change Using a Health Narrative.

Global Innov8 Training and Orientation

WHO is in the process of finalizing an Innov8 Approach for Reviewing National Health Programmes to strengthen action on equity, gender, human rights and social determinants of health. A technical handbook and a training manual on the Innov8 approach will be launched in mid-2016. Planning is now underway regarding Innov8 adaptation to, and rollout in, different regional and country contexts. To this end, a Global Innov8 training and orientation meeting was held aimed at familiarizing participants with the technical resources and strategies available for adapting and applying the approach in different regional and national initiatives in 2016–2017. Meeting outcomes will also contribute to WHO’s strategic thinking on how best to advance the global rollout of Innov8 and to establish a community of practice linked to this body of work. The meeting was held from 18 to 20 April 2016 in Manila, Philippines. Follow up to the meeting will focus on advancing and operationalizing rollout and implementation plans. Click here for more information.

World Health Assembly Passes Two Resolutions Related to Health and the Environment

During the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly delegates adopted two resolutions—Health and the Environment: A road Map for an Enhanced Global Response to the Adverse Health Effects of Air Pollution; and the Role of the Health Sector in the Sound Management of Chemicals.

The first resolution, Health and the environment: a road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution builds on last year’s first-ever World Health Assembly resolution calling for action to reduce health risks caused by air pollution (WHA68.18). The road map is a major milestone that sets out a concrete course of action to reduce an estimated seven million annual deaths globally as a result of air pollution exposure. Air pollution is recognized as a leading environmental health risk. Key elements of the road map include stepped-up actions by WHO and Member States to:

• Expand the knowledge base on health impacts of air pollution and effectiveness of inter-ventions to reduce air pollution;
• Enhance national and global capacities to assess air pollution, propose interventions, and develop systems for monitoring and reporting air pollution health impacts and trends; and
• Support the development and coordination of action plans and policies at city, regional, and national levels.

The road map will also strengthen the capacity of the health sector to lead intersectoral actors in policies that aim to prevent air pollution-related diseases.

The second resolution, The role of the health sector in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management towards the 2020 goal and beyond, calls on the WHO Secretariat to develop a road map for the health sector at national, regional, and international levels towards achieving the 2020 goal and contributing to the relevant targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also asks the WHO Secretariat to develop a report on the impacts of waste on health and the actions the health sector could take to protect them. To coincide with the Health Assembly, WHO released a report, Public health impacts of chemicals: Knowns and unknowns. This report estimates that 1.3 million lives were lost in 2012 due to exposures to selected chemicals.

WHO Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database

More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to pollutants that exceed WHO limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to the latest urban air quality database, 98% of cities in low- and middle-income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. However, in high-income countries that percentage decreases to 56%. As urban air quality declines, the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma, increases for the people living in these cities.

In the past two years, the database—now covering 3,000 cities in 103 countries—has nearly doubled in size, with more cities measuring air pollution levels and recognizing the associated health impacts. Click here for the press release, updated database, methodology, summary of results, and country groupings.

International Council for Science (ICSU)

Visit the ICSU website for resources including publications, events, science, and international policy.

From the May Newsletter:

ICSU and the International Social Science Council (ISSC) are considering a merger. The ICSU President Gordon McBean has called an extraordinary session of the ICSU General Assembly, to allow members to vote on this crucial issue for the future of the organization. This General Assembly will be held in Oslo, Norway, on 24 October 2016, coinciding with the ISSC General Assembly.

El Salvador will host the Council’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean from 1 August. In an official ceremony on 11 May, the International Council for Science Executive Director Heide Hackmann signed an agreement with the government of El Salvador which will host the ICSU Regional Office for the next five years.

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST)

18th IUFoST—World Congress of Food Science and Technology

The Institute of Food Science and Technology Ireland presents Dublin and Ireland as the host for the 18th IUFoST—World Congress of Food Science and Technology, between 21–25 August 2016.

The congress theme is “Greening the Global Food Supply Chain through Innovation in Food Science and Technology.” It is fitting that Ireland hosts this congress as it is widely regarded as the “Food Island.” Delegates will be coming from around the world to experience presentations by experts from across academia, industry and government on advances in food science and technology and to gain insights into key industry drivers such as food safety, the regulatory environment, consumers, and challenges facing the industry. The exhibition will feature emerging technologies and latest innovations through country pavilions, industry showcases, global industry awards, student product development competitions, and much more.

Find out more on this congress and how to register on the IUFoST website.

IUFoST Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) Addresses Food Science Issues: Aflatoxin Update

18 April 2016—The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) today released its latest Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB), which provides a summary of the most recent information on Aflatoxins for the global food science and technology community. SIBs are prepared for the more than 300,000 members of IUFoST Adhering Bodies worldwide and may be of interest to those serving in academia, industry, government, and development organizations.

The purpose of this IUFoST SIB is to highlight reports from two expert sources on health impact and management of aflatoxin. The first document relates to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on the Global Burden of Foodborne Disease released late last year that quantitatively linked aflatoxin to primary liver cancer expressed in terms of DALYs—Disability-Adjusted Life Years. Released in early 2016, the second report of importance was issued by WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) with the support by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that is entitled Mycotoxin Control in Low and Middle Income Countries.

Read this SIB and others online.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

AAAS offers a variety of programs as part of their Global Outreach, including the Center for Science Diplomacy and their quarterly online publication Science and Diplomacy. The Office of International and Security Affairs manages AAAS’s international institutional relationships and advances the AAAS goal of providing leadership in international science cooperation.

More information can be found on the AAAS website.

Seeding Labs

Seeding Labs is an organization that supports global scientists by helping provide access to high-quality surplus laboratory equipment to university departments in low- and middle-income countries. This lab equipment is provided bydonors. The Instrumental Access 2016 Request for Applications (RFA) is open until 29 July 2016. View the RFA for more information.

Recipients are selected through a competitive application process. Once selected for the program, qualified participants choose equipment from our inventory that matches their needs. Seeding Labs packs and ships the equipment to the nearest or most convenient port.

Other programs offered by Seeding Labs are the Ambassador Program and the Fellowship Program. Both of these programs are still in development.

Toxicology Education and Training Resources

Master Degree in “Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products”

Applications and admissions: with entrance examination

Duration: 2 years (120 cfu)

Location: University of Milan, Italy

Aim of the course in Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products is providing the relevant chemical, biochemical, biotechnology and physical procedures for the study and identification of hazard and risk arising from xenobiotics and biotechnology products. At the end of the training, the graduates will be able to evaluate dossiers of xenobiotics and biotechnology products on the basis of accurate scientific principles and methodological approaches, internationally agreed, in order to provide quantitative safety assessment. Particular attention will be paid to the application of existing regulations (in Europe, USA, etc.), through the development of integrated different areas including legislation, chemistry, toxicology and pharmacology, biotechnology, and risk analysis.

For details: University of Milan website

Contact information: Prof. Marina Marinovich
Head of Study Programme
Email: saxbi@unimi.it

SOT Offers Six New Continuing Education Courses Online, CEd-Tox

Six courses presented at the 2016 SOT Annual Meeting in New Orleans have been added to CEd-Tox, the online CE program offered by SOT. This program is dedicated to providing such opportunities and resources to the scientific community in order to facilitate professional development beyond the Annual Meeting, as well as provide a low-cost alternative to those who are unable to attend. CEd-Tox offers access to CE slide presentations, audio, and English language transcriptions (for select courses) for 2009–2016 SOT Annual Meetings. Most courses run approximately three and a half hours and are divided into a brief introduction followed by approximately four 45–minute segments that are viewed individually. Registrants will have 30-day unlimited access to the course(s) beginning on the date of purchase. The course segments are viewed via online streaming audio and slide presentation, and are not downloadable.

Scientists from developing countries, regardless of Member Type, may be eligible for free access to courses. SeeGlobal Initiatives or contact SOT Headquarters for more information.

IUTOX Meetings

IUTOX Risk Assessment Course in East Africa—June 21–23, 2016

The IUTOX Committee for Developing Countries and the East African Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement are organizing a three-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, on the general principles of risk assessment. From IUTOX, the faculty includes Professor Herman Autrup (Denmark) and Professor Mary Gulumian (South Africa) and they will be joined by Dr. Emanuela Testai from the Instituto Superiore di Sanita (Italy). As a second course outcome, Professors Autrup and Gulumian will also work with local scientists in an effort to form an East African Network of Toxicologists associated with IUTOX. For more information about the meeting, please contact Mr. Gerphas Opondo (EANECE).

14th International Congress of Toxicology (ICTXIV), 2016

The XIV International Congress of Toxicology (ICTXIV) will be organized by the Mexican Society of Toxicology and held in Merida, Mexico, October 2–6, 2016. IUTOX organizes the largest and most prestigious International Congress on Toxicology (ICT) every three years, offering the opportunity to learn the latest developments in toxicological science and regulation through general scientific sessions and continuing education courses. The theme of the ICTXIV is “Toxicology and Global Sustainability.”

IUTOX is proud to present this meeting where toxicologists from around the world will share their recent findings with colleagues and other ICTXIV delegates. By attending ICTXIV, you will learn of the latest advances of toxicology-related sciences.

Preliminary Program

Key note speakers:

• Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, Director, NIEHS, USA;
• Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, Dean of Global Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, USA;
• Dr. Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and Environment Department, WHO;
• Dr. Ellen K. Silbergeld, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.

Symposia:

• Emerging issues of immunotoxicity of pharmaceuticals
• Effects of pesticides on human health and ways of prevention and control
• Environmental pollutants, toxicity and influence on human health
• In vitro microphysiological systems to predict toxicity
• Advances in mechanisms of nephrotoxicity
• Innovations in the human health risk assessment of chemicals
• Nanomaterial toxicology, its progress and reflection to various applications, with special reference to carbon-based nanomaterials
• Systematic reviews in toxicology
• Human toxicomethylomics: From global DNA methylation to gene-specific 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
• Listening to the microbiome: What is says about environmental chemicals, drugs, disease and toxicology
• Natural products: Can they be used in disease prevention?
• Advancing the 3Rs through global harmonization: Case studies and future perspectives
• Mining and health
• Environmental Facts on Respiratory Immune Diseases
• Human toxicity of pesticides. An inexorable burden to mankind?
• Translating mechanistic toxicology discoveries to public health protection
• Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals
• Chromosomal instability
• Paternal exposures, sperm health and reproductive success
• Toxicology data information networks in the 21st century
• Timely protection of public health from exposure to neurotoxicants in Latin America: Current challenges, and strategies to overcome them
• Adverse effects of pesticide exposure on fetus and newborn infant
• The aryl hydrocarbon receptor after some 25 years
• Organ-on-chip technology: Challenges and interpretation of the data
• Toxicity of the new psychoactive substances—an epidemiological, mechanistic and clinical overview
• Scientific tool for environmental studies in vulnerable populations: ECOHEALTH
• Understanding multipollutant air mixtures health effects
• Environmental exposures and neurotoxicity: Molecular mechanisms, epidemiology and risk assessment
• Occupational toxicology and chemical risk assessment
• Innovations in environmental epigenetics: Tales from endocrine disruptor to cancer
• Adulterants and contaminants in herbal products, and ethnic remedies: New warnings and strategies for surveillance
• Environmental causes of breast cancer
• IUPHAR: Influence of ethnicity, genetics and age on drug response and toxicity
• Application of the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept to evaluate a link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease

Round Tables:

• Toxicomics towards new era: New horizons of omics sciences
• Maternal exposure to nanoparticles—how does it affect the fetus? Status, mechanisms, and future directions

Workshops:

• Developmental toxicology: Different models, different endpoints
• Global perspectives on safety, regulatory and risk assessment of food additives or contaminants
• Food safety and environmental toxicology
• Genomic biomarkers in risk assessment

CE Courses:

• Water Security: Integrating Lessons Learned for Water Quality, Quantity and Sustainability
• Understanding Neurodegeneration and Environmental Toxicity: Basic Principles and Advances
• Find your Mentor your Internship and your Grant
• Product Safety and Stewardship in the Cosmetic, Food, and Mining Industries
• Child Health in Contaminated Sites
• Addiction Care Models: Multidisciplinary Integrated Management with Emphasis in Clinical Toxicology (This course will be presented in Spanish).

For more information on registration, preliminary program, exhibits, submitting an abstract, lodging, etc., please visit:ICT-Mexico2016.org, and/or contact ict2016@cinvestav.mx.

Merida is the capital city of the State of Yucatan, Mexico, the home of the Mexican Mayan Culture. It was awarded the City of Peace in 2011, being one of the safest cities in the country with very friendly people. You can pleasantly walk during the day as well as in the night. Along downtown you will find many restaurants with “in vivo” traditional music and handcraft shops. Near Merida there are some archaeological Mayan places such as Chichen Itza, considered by UNESCO as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and the city of Uxmal is considered a Wonder Heritage Site. Merida is well connected to the rest of the country with an International Airport, and near to Cancun (about three hours by bus). The venue of the Congress will be the Convention Center with a capacity of 3,500 persons that is located next to the recently inaugurated Great Museum of the Mayan World. We will appreciate your participation in advancing the mission of IUTOX to improve human health through the science and practice of toxicology worldwide! We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Merida.

Upcoming Society Meetings

If your member society would like its meetings added to our Upcoming Meetings section on the IUTOX website, please send an email to IUTOX Headquarters.

View a full listing of the Upcoming Meetings.

EUROTOX

2016 EUROTOX CONGRESS, SEVILLE, SEPTEMBER 4–7

Visit the congress website to find more information about the scientific programme, abstract submission rules, awards, travel bursaries, registration, and more.

Member Society Social Event in Seville, Spain

A social event is planned for delegates of member societies planning to attend the 2016 EUROTOX meeting in Seville. Official invitations were sent in May for a special event on Sunday, September 4, from 16.00 to 17.00h. Email:secretariat@eurotox.com.

Other Upcoming Meetings

The 8th Princess Chulabhorn International Science Congress

“Environmental Health: Inter-Linkages among the Environment, Chemicals and Infectious Agents”
November 13–17, 2016, Bangkok, Thailand

The scientific program will cover the following general areas:

• Chemical and infectious agents
• Exposure
• Diseases resulting from environmental exposure
• Mechanisms and pathways of disease development
• Modifiers of susceptibility and disease outcomes
• Tools and technologies
• New and emerging therapy

Featuring a Nobel Laureate Lecture: The Critical Role of the Ubiquitin Pathway in the Development of Human Disease by Aaron Ciechanover (Nobel Laureate, Israel).

2018 World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology

Save the Date in Your Calendar

The 18th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2018) will be held in Kyoto, Japan from July 1 to 6, 2018. The WCP2018 Organizing Committee plans to make WCP2018 a success by offering rich scientific contents and memorable experiences.

Pharmacology for the Future—Science, Drug Development, and Therapeutics

The program is based on Pillars and Platforms. Pillars represent the different fields of research, such as Neuro, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Cancer, Tox, etc. Platforms represent different levels of research spanning from basic science to bedside, including drug discovery/development, disease-oriented research, clinical research, and patient care. Platform sessions may involve multiple fields of study for interdisciplinary or cross-sectional views of the pharmacological sciences. Sessions will be organized chronologically based on Pillars and Platforms, so every participant will easily locate sessions that appeal to his or her interests.

Thus far, two distinguished scientists have been confirmed as plenary lecturers:

• Prof. Shinya Yamanaka (Kyoto) won the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which now provide a platform for regenerative medicine and human disease cell-based drug development.
• Prof. Karl Deisseroth (Stanford) is one of the founders of optogenetics, which revolutionized the methodology for examining cell systems in the brain and other organs.

Featuring International Union of Toxicology Participation

To optimize the scientific offerings, spanning from basic research to the bedside, we are pleased to announce the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX) is sponsoring a symposium under the leadership of their President-Elect, Dr. Jun Kanno. We encourage you to plan your visit to Kyoto for July 1–6, 2018 to experience the full spectrum of the scientific offerings and the amazing history offered by the region.

WCP2018 Organizing Committee:
Shuh Narumiya, President
Shinich Kawai, Vice President
Masamitsu Iino, Secretary General
www.WCP2018.org

Fellowship and Travel Award Opportunities

American Academy of Clinical Toxicology Accepting Applications for Research Awards

American Academy of Clinical Toxicology AACT is accepting applications for research awards. Both applicants still in training and research mentors must be AACT members. The upcoming awards, amounts and due dates are:

• AACT Research Award (up to $5,750, applications due December 1, 2016).

Additional information about upcoming educational, research, meeting, and collaborative efforts will be posted on the AACT website.

Society of Toxicology

SOT strongly supports efforts keeping toxicology in the forefront of scientific advancements that make a safer and healthier world and has several specific programs to promote scientific exchange around the globe. Deadlines are approaching for toxicologists to apply to participate in SOT scientific exchange programs. We encourage SOT members to consider applying and to encourage colleagues who have interests matching the program goals to apply.

Global Senior Scholar Exchange Program

Toxicologists who are in Developing Countries may apply for the Global Senior Scholar Exchange Program. SOT sponsors specific collaborations between selected mid-career to senior Scholars from academic institutions in developing countries and SOT Member Hosts from established academic, government, and industry toxicology programs worldwide. The Scholar will attend the 2017 Annual Meeting to present work and establish scientific networks and then spend up to four weeks at the Host’s institution. The goal is to improve toxicology education and training at the Scholar’s university. Hosts are recruited after selection of the Scholars to match toxicology interests. Scholar applications are due June 15, 2016. The host application deadline will be September 15, 2016.

International ToxScholar Grants

Applications are due October 9, 2016, for International ToxScholar Grants. Funding of up to $1,250 is available from SOT for toxicologists to visit institutions in Developing Countries to expand awareness of toxicology and promote toxicology careers through interaction of toxicologists with undergraduate and graduate students. A letter of invitation from the contact at the institution to be visited is required. Examples of previously funded visits are a useful reference.

Strategic Funding

SOT encourages proposals for joint activities to further international goals that are collaborations between SOT component groups, committees, or other non-SOT toxicology organizations (e.g., IUTOX, Japanese Society of Toxicology) and include matching funds from one of the collaboration partner groups. Matching funds are not required, but will greatly increase the competitiveness of the proposal. Global Initiatives Funds applications are reviewed four times a year. The next deadline is July 1, 2016. Other deadlines are January 1, April 1, and October 1. SOT will fund proposals up to $4,000.

PhRMA Foundation Awards

The PhRMA Foundation supports the research and early career endeavors of scientists in drug discovery and development. With a wide range of Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowships, Sabbatical Fellowships, and Research Starter Grants, the PhRMA Foundation offers a myriad of opportunities to help young scientists advance their careers. Application deadlines occur twice per year: February 1 and September 1.

Annual 2016 PhRMA Foundation Awards

Please note: PhRMA Foundation also offers annual awards with a deadline of September 1. Awards for 2017 have a deadline of September 1, 2016.

PhRMA Foundation offers awards for:

• Predoctoral Fellowships
• Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Sabbatical Fellowships
• Research Starter Grants
• Other Awards

Related Disciplines Include:

• Adherence Improvement
• Health Outcomes
• Informatics
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmacology/Toxicology
• Translational Medicine and Therapeutics

Apply online here.

Intramural NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Program (PRAT)

The overarching goal of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRAT) Program is to provide high quality postdoctoral research training in the basic biomedical sciences, in National Institutes of Health (NIH) intramural research laboratories, to a diverse group of postdoctoral fellows to prepare them for leadership positions in biomedical careers. The research projects proposed should focus on NIGMS mission-related areas of basic biomedical science. These include cell biology, biophysics, genetics, developmental biology, pharmacology, physiology, biological chemistry, computational biology, technology development, and bioinformatics. Studies employing model organisms are encouraged. The PRAT Program distinguishes itself by providing, in addition to the laboratory research experience, a structured training environment with extensive career development and networking opportunities planned and supported by this program.

Deadlines: October 3, 2016; October 3, 2017. For additional information and eligibility, please visit the NIH website.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

This directory of Non-NIH Funding Opportunities includes a variety of international grants and fellowships in biomedical and behavioral research. Its goal is to provide information about additional funding opportunities available to those in the field of global health research. The directory is maintained by the Fogarty International Center, the international component of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). See listing of funding opportunities on the NIH website.

Non-NIH Funding offers funding opportunities for:

• Predoctoral/Graduate Students
• Postdoctoral Students
• Faculty
• Health Professionals
• Institutions
• Travel

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, working to advance science and engineering for sustainable prosperity in the developing world. TWAS currently has 460 PhD fellowships with 13 partners in eight countries, and 150 postdoctoral fellowships with 16 partners in nine countries.

CAS-TWAS President’s PHD Fellowship Programme

No Deadline
According to a new agreement between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and TWAS, up to 200 students/scholars from all over the world, including 60 from developed countries, will be sponsored to travel to China for PhD studies for up to four years.

TWAS-CONACYT Postgraduate Fellowship Programme

No Deadline
For young scientists from developing countries (other than Mexico) who wish to pursue studies towards a PhD degree in natural sciences at eligible PhD programmes of higher education and research in Mexico.

TWAS Grants for Scientific Meetings held in Developing Countries

May 31, 2016 for meetings scheduled from January—June 2017
November 30, 2016 for meetings scheduled from July–December 2017
TWAS encourages the organization of high level international and regional scientific activities in developing countries by offering financial assistance to the organizers of conferences, workshops, symposia and special meetings held in these countries. Support is normally provided in the form of travel grants for principal speakers from abroad and/or participants from developing countries other than the country where the meeting is held. The amount provided normally does not exceed USD 5,000.

WHO Internship Programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) as the leader in global public health issues is committed to building future leaders in public health. WHO’s Internship Programme offers a wide range of opportunities for students to gain insight in the technical and administrative programmes of WHO.

The duration of WHO internships is between 6 to 12 weeks. Exceptionally, internships may be extended up to a maximum of 24 weeks depending on the needs of the WHO technical unit and your availability. WHO internships are notpaid and all costs of travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the intern candidate. Find details and eligibility for internships online.

WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network

Training Fellowship Announcement

Application Deadline: Friday, 23 September 2016

The Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) is pleased to call for applications from WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network members from developing countries for its Training Fellowships to attend the Annual International Training course on Environmental and Health Risk Assessment and Management of Toxic Chemicals, which is scheduled for three weeks in November/December 2016, Bangkok, Thailand. These Training Fellowships are one of the outcomes from the meeting of the Sub-Network of Developing County institutions which took place in December 2015.

The fellowships cover roundtrip airfare, accommodation (on site) and meals, training materials, and health insurance. Participants should be affiliated with WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network member institutions in developing countries and have jobs/responsibilities related to assessment of risk from the use of chemicals.

Applications, including a brief CV and a letter of motivation, should be send to the Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) using following email address and mentioning Fellowship 2016 in the subject line: envtox@cri.or.th.

The application deadline is 23 September 2016. The CRI will review all applications and inform applicants accordingly.

A detailed description of the course appears below.

Annual International Training course on Environmental and Health Risk Assessment and Management of Toxic Chemicals:

This course, which is an integration of science and policy, covers the fundamental basis of the human health and environmental risk assessment and management process, which starts from identification of hazard and exposure, assessment methods, the mode of action and human relevance framework, characterization of risk, the inherent uncertainties in each step, the relationship between risk assessment and risk management, and the need for open, transparent and participatory acceptance procedures and credible communication methods. Emphasis will be placed on potential adverse health effects of human exposure to environmental hazards. The course also teaches the practical application of risk assessment methods to various problems through the use of case studies. The application of environmental impact assessment procedures of identifying and assessing risk is also covered in the course. International experts lecturing are typically from Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, USA, UK, Thailand, and WHO.

International Research Scholars Program

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation have announced the International Research Scholars Program that aims to support up to 50 outstanding early career scientists from eligible countries who have trained in the US or United Kingdom for at least one year. Additionally, eligible scientists must have run their own labs for less than seven years and work in one of the eligible countries. For additional information, please visit the 2017 International Research Scholars Competition website. Applications are due June 30, 2016, and awardees will be notified in April 2017.