The FutureTox II: In Vitro Data and In Silico Models for Predictive Toxicology Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) conference will be held January 16–17, 2014, at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The conference aims to address the pathway-based strategy by bringing together basic research into a congress that integrates newer in vitro methodologies and computational (in silico) modeling approaches with advances in systems biology. An overarching goal is to clarify the usefulness and validity of new and emerging technologies and approaches so that expectations can be managed in both the regulatory and regulated scientific communities. There will be ample opportunities to network with experts in this fast changing growth area.
Some aspects of this topic were covered in the October 2012 FutureTox CCT meeting. This FutureTox II CCT will provide a forum for a detailed scientific discussion of how the biological pathways of interest will be elucidated, characterized, and qualified for pathway-based risk assessment. Breakout groups will address four key areas: Regulatory Toxicology, Liver Disease and Hepatotoxicity, Developmental/ Reproductive Toxicity, and Cancer. There is global interest in “Adverse Outcome Pathways” (AOPs) as a conceptual framework for mode-of-action approaches in these four areas. Focusing the CCT on scientific issues where new methodologies and advances can move us beyond reliance on animal models will benefit all researchers and regulators as a way of identifying key questions that need research.
Partial travel support for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will be available. To register and for additional information about this conference, please visit the FutureTox II website.
SOT sponsors two types of meetings outside of the SOT Annual Meeting: Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) and Non-SOT meetings. CCT meetings are one- to two-day focused, open registration, scientific meetings in contemporary and rapidly progressing areas of toxicological sciences. Non-SOT meetings are sponsored by other not-for-profit organizations and SOT will either endorse or provide sponsorship money to these toxicology-related meetings.