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Ilustračná snímka, myška v Petriho miske

SAS laboratories joined the international EU-NETVAL network

18. 11. 2020 | 1403 visits

The laboratories of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology of the CEM SAS have been accepted as a member of the network of laboratories of the European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EU-NETVAL). This network was established by the European Commission in connection with the Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Thanks to this success, the Institute will participate in validation projects of EURL-ECVAM (EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing), provide expertise and cooperation in training and raising awareness of alternative methods. In cooperation with EU experts, it will assist in the identification and validation of appropriate in vitro methods for future applications in regulatory toxicology.

"It is a major achievement for us, but also a commitment. The key task will be to strengthen the further development of in vitro toxicology laboratories and to become an integral part of interesting EU-NETVAL projects. It is similar international experiences that will enrich our Institute with state-of-the-art knowledge in the safety assessment of in vitro substances. In this way, we can partially or completely eliminate animal testing in some areas, or better understand the mechanisms of toxicity of substances,“ said Mojmír Mach, Director of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology of the CEM SAS.

The Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology of the CEM SAS operates the only breeding station for experimental animals in Slovakia. The Institute has not only in vivo laboratories, but also modern laboratories for carrying out toxicological studies in vitro (i.e. without the use of laboratory animals), and also provides training activities in this area. Several employees of the Institute are members of the National Expert Scientific Group for the Assessment of Alternative Methods at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic and members of the Slovak National Platform for 3R Principles (Reduce, Refine, Replace) in Science and Research (SNP3Rs).

About EU-NETVAL network:

EU-NETVAL consists of a network of specialised testing laboratories located in the EU member states. The main tasks of EU-NETVAL are to provide support for the European Reference Laboratory (EURL-ECVAM) in the validation of alternative methods (in vitro, in silico). At the same time, the EU-NETVAL network contributes to the identification of appropriate in vitro methods that could be included in the EU regulatory framework in the future. A list of all EU-NETVAL testing laboratories is available on the website of the European Commission.

Edited by Monika Tináková

Foto: Institute of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology of the CEM SAS 

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