New Gene Expression Research Hopes to Replace the Need for Animal Testing

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden are using nextgeneration data analysis software from Qlucore to conduct important new studies that aim to reduce or replace animal testing within the cosmetics industry and beyond.

Until now, it has been impossible to determine whether cosmetics such as make-up, shampoo, or moisturisers are likely to cause an allergic reaction unless tested on a living creature. With this powerful new software, however, scientists can test their theories by conducting their sophisticated gene expression research on computers, instead of relying of living organisms, such as lab animals.

In 2005, a large EU-funded research project was launched to develop and optimise in vitro test strategies that could reduce or replace animal testing for sensitisation studies. By using a multi-disciplinary approach, this study is helping to address skin and lung sensitisation by focusing on the impact of compounds on cellular-molecular interactions, which play a central role in the development and elicitation of many allergies.

Because there are not yet any in vitro tests or test strategies available to test chemical compounds on their potential to induce allergies, the aim of the project is to develop alternatives to animal tests currently used for the risk assessment of potential skin or lung sensitisers.

The project, known as Sens-it-iv (http://www.sens-it-iv.eu/), combines both private and public research institutions, as well as several industrial and societal interest organisations. One of the key partners involved with the project is the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) at the Joint Research Centre. The presence of the ECVAM ensures a clear focus on tests and testing strategies that can be validated, which is a prerequisite for eventual regulatory acceptance.

Dr Ann-Sofie Albrekt is currently working in this exciting area, based at the Department of Immunotechnology, which is headed by Professor Carl Borrebaeck, a subcoordinator of Sens-it-iv. As an internationally renowned centre for research and education, Lund University is highly regarded for its research in cutting-edge fields including nanotechnology, translational cancer research, and stem cell biology. Dr Albrekt is currently focusing on two key areas: looking for new biomarkers in cancer studies, as well as performing important research on allergens.

"Worldwide, more and more people are suffering from allergies, which means that this area has become an important health concern," said Dr Albrekt. "As a scientist, I am interested to find out why otherwise harmless compounds can often elicit an adverse immune response in humans."