Revolutionizing chemical testing for a safer future

The EU project TOXBOX is pioneering an era of chemical testing

15-Mar-2024

Symbolic image

Computer-generated image

The EU project TOXBOX is pioneering an era of chemical testing, ensuring safety and sustainability throughout the entire life cycle. With cutting-edge technology and innovative design principles, TOXBOX aims to provide reliable toxicity data under realistic conditions, paving the way for accurate computer models and informed decision-making.

The Safe and Sustainable by Design approach involves closely monitoring the impact of chemicals throughout their entire life cycle. However, current testing methods face limitations in accurately replicating real-world exposure conditions and integrating with computer simulations. Consequently, there is a need for new instruments capable of testing chemicals at various stages of their life cycle and seamlessly connecting with digital models.

TOXBOX seeks to develop a device based on the flexible microfluidic and instrument design principles pioneered in the PANBioRA project. This device aims to provide a straightforward testing platform, facilitating easy access and validation across different laboratories. It will conduct a range of tests tailored to each stage of a chemical's life cycle, including automated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests, real-time tissue barrier assessments, and environmental simulation experiments using flow modules. Additionally, it will incorporate a testing module using zebrafish embryos with mechanical stimulation.

The device's validation will encompass various types of chemicals, such as metals, nanoparticles, biocides, and endocrine disruptors. Custom-made biocides will be utilized during the design phase. As testing progresses, in silico models will be developed to predict long-term effects and evaluate the risks associated with new chemical formulations.

A data management platform will be established to facilitate the integration of collected data with existing databases. Following validation by four partner organizations, a standardization process will be initiated to ensure widespread accessibility for stakeholders involved in material life cycle assessments. The primary aim of TOXBOX is to provide a device which enables the collection of reliable toxicity data under realistic conditions for each chemical, and thus to supporting the development of accurate computer models.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is the project’s administrative coordinator and works in close collaboration with Spartha Medical, the project’s scientific coordinator. Additionally, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is leading the development and implementation of the communication and dissemination strategy and the exploitation strategy for the project and support on the management of intellectual property.

In summary, TOXBOX expects to

Develop a versatile testing device: TOXBOX aims to create a device capable of conducting a variety of toxicity tests tailored to different stages of a chemical’s life cycle.
Enhance reliability of toxicity data: By validating the device with various types of chemicals and employing custom-made biocides during the design phase, TOXBOX seeks to provide dependable toxicity data under realistic conditions.
Facilitate the integration of digital models: TOXBOX plans to develop in silico models to predict long-term effects and assess risks associated with new chemical formulations.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1182959/revolutionizing-chemical-testing-for-a-safer-future.html