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Lena Smirnova and Thomas Hartung

This course familiarizes students with the novel concepts being used to revamp regulatory toxicology in response to a breakthrough National Research Council Report “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy.” We present the latest developments in the field of toxicology—the shift from animal testing toward human relevant, high content, high-throughput integrative testing strategies. Active programs from EPA, NIH, and the global scientific community illustrate the dynamics of safety sciences.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1
This model will give you a broad introduction to the Toxicology 21st century (Tox21c) field and familiarize you with the main document, which summarize the main ideas and principles of Tox21c.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Appropriate for professionals working in the field of toxicology and those seeking to apply the latest developments
Instructors Lena Smirnova and Thomas Hartung are recognized experts in toxicology
Teaches the latest developments in toxicology
Provides examples from real-world programs, such as the EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program and the Johns Hopkins University Human Toxome Project
Covers important topics such as read-across, organotypic cultures, and in vitro to in vivo extrapolation
Teaches skills that are highly relevant to industry and academia

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Reviews summary

Learners on toxicology 21 applications

According to learners, Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications provides a highly relevant and up-to-date overview of the shift in toxicology testing, moving away from animal testing towards human-relevant, high-throughput methods like ToxCast and AOPs. Many find the content valuable for professionals in regulatory science and industry, offering insights directly applicable to their work. While the course is seen as rewarding, it is also frequently described as challenging and dense, requiring significant effort to fully grasp, sometimes assuming prior knowledge. Overall, it's considered a strong foundation for understanding the future of safety science.
Demanding content requires significant effort.
"This course is challenging and requires dedicated study, but it is very rewarding for understanding complex topics."
"Found the material dense in some modules, but the effort is worth it for the depth of knowledge gained."
"Needed to spend considerable time on the readings and lectures. It's not a light course."
"Definitely a challenging subject matter, but the course structure helps break it down into manageable modules."
Valuable for professionals in the field.
"Extremely useful for my work in regulatory science. The examples from EPA and NIH were very helpful."
"Provides practical insights applicable to industry and understanding the dynamics of safety sciences."
"This course helped me understand the vision for toxicology testing in the 21st century and how it impacts my job."
"Highly relevant to current research and regulatory trends. A must-take for professionals in this area."
Highly relevant and up-to-date content.
"The course covers highly relevant 21st-century toxicology concepts like AOPs and ToxCast that are crucial today."
"It's impressive how the course aligns with the NRC report, truly presenting the latest developments in the field."
"Learned so much about Tox21 strategies and the shift towards human-relevant testing methods."
"Very impressed by the coverage of novel concepts being used to revamp regulatory toxicology in response to the NRC report."
Some sections require prior knowledge or more detail.
"Some topics could benefit from more depth or prerequisite explanation, especially for those new to specific 'omics' areas."
"Assumes a certain level of prior knowledge in biology or toxicology which might be difficult for absolute beginners."
"Found certain lectures difficult to grasp without supplemental reading to provide more foundational context."
"While comprehensive, the rapid pace through some complex areas like biokinetic modeling was challenging."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications with these activities:
Refine your critical thinking skills
Practice critical thinking to better comprehend the complex concepts discussed in this course.
Browse courses on Critical Thinking
Show steps
  • Identify a real-world problem
  • Analyze the problem and gather relevant information
  • Generate potential solutions
  • Evaluate and select the best solution
Review the principles of toxicology
Brush up on the fundamental principles of toxicology to enhance your understanding of the advanced concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on Toxicology
Show steps
  • Read through textbooks or online resources
  • Attend introductory lectures or workshops
  • Review notes from previous toxicology courses
Explore ToxCast's online tutorials
Enhance your understanding of ToxCast's capabilities by completing their online tutorials, providing hands-on experience with this valuable tool.
Show steps
  • Access the ToxCast website
  • Select and complete the available tutorials
  • Follow the instructions and explore the interactive features
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th Edition
Delve deeper into the field of toxicology by reading this comprehensive textbook, gaining insights from experts in the field.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read through the relevant chapters
  • Take notes and highlight important concepts
Join a study group or online discussion forum
Engage with peers to discuss course concepts, share insights, and enhance your understanding through collaborative learning.
Show steps
  • Identify or create a study group
  • Set regular meeting times
  • Prepare discussion topics and facilitate discussions
Develop a graphical representation of a toxicological pathway
Reinforce your understanding of toxicological pathways by creating a visual representation, which can aid in memorization and recall.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific toxicological pathway
  • Research and gather information about the pathway
  • Design and create a graphical representation
Practice using online toxicology databases
Enhance your research skills by practicing with online toxicology databases, becoming proficient in accessing and utilizing valuable information.
Browse courses on Database Searching
Show steps
  • Identify relevant toxicology databases
  • Learn search strategies and query techniques
  • Conduct practice searches and retrieve information
Volunteer at a local environmental organization
Gain practical experience in the field of toxicology by volunteering at an environmental organization, applying your knowledge and making a real-world impact.
Browse courses on Volunteering
Show steps
  • Research and identify local environmental organizations
  • Contact organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend volunteer training and orientation

Career center

Learners who complete Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Toxicologist
Toxicologists are scientists who work with a goal of protecting human health and the environment from harmful chemicals and other potentially dangerous substances. They study the effects of these substances on living organisms and work to develop ways to prevent or mitigate their harmful effects.
Regulatory Affairs Scientist
Toxicology plays an important role in the field of regulatory affairs by informing decisions about the safety and regulation of chemicals, products, and technologies. Regulatory affairs professionals use their toxicology knowledge to evaluate product safety, ensure compliance with regulations, and communicate safety information to stakeholders.
Environmental Health Scientist
Toxicology is a key area of study for environmental health scientists who work to understand and mitigate the effects of environmental toxicants on human health and the environment. This course can provide environmental health scientists with a deeper understanding of the latest approaches and technologies used in toxicology.
Toxicological Pathologist
Toxicological pathologists study the effects of toxic substances on the body's tissues and organs. They work to determine the cause of death in cases of poisoning and to assess the safety of chemicals and other substances. This course can help toxicological pathologists stay up-to-date on the latest developments in toxicology and improve their understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity.
Research Scientist
Toxicology is a valuable area of expertise for research scientists working in the fields of environmental health, pharmacology, and drug development. This course can provide research scientists with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct toxicology studies, evaluate data, and interpret results.
Biostatistician
Toxicology studies often involve large datasets, and biostatisticians are responsible for analyzing and interpreting this data. This course can provide biostatisticians with the skills needed to apply statistical methods to toxicology data and draw meaningful conclusions.
Epidemiologist
Toxicology is an important area of study for epidemiologists who work to investigate the causes and distribution of disease in populations. This course can provide epidemiologists with a deeper understanding of the role of toxic substances in disease development and help them to design and conduct studies to assess the health effects of exposure to toxic substances.
Industrial Hygienist
This course is relevant to industrial hygienists who work to identify, evaluate, and control workplace hazards that can cause illness or injury to workers. Toxicology knowledge is essential for industrial hygienists to understand the potential health effects of hazardous substances and to develop effective strategies to protect workers from exposure.
Safety Manager
Safety managers are responsible for developing and implementing safety programs to protect employees and the public from workplace hazards. Toxicology knowledge is important for safety managers to understand the potential risks associated with hazardous substances and to develop effective safety measures to minimize exposure.
Risk Assessor
Toxicology is a key area of expertise for risk assessors who work to evaluate the potential risks of chemical substances, products, and processes to human health and the environment. This course can provide risk assessors with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct risk assessments and develop risk management strategies.
Chemical Engineer
Toxicology knowledge is important for chemical engineers who work to design and operate chemical plants and processes. This course can provide chemical engineers with a deeper understanding of the potential hazards associated with chemicals and help them to design and operate plants and processes in a way that minimizes the risk of accidents and exposure to hazardous substances.
Environmental Engineer
Toxicology knowledge is important for environmental engineers who work to protect the environment from pollution. This course can provide environmental engineers with a deeper understanding of the sources, transport, and fate of toxic substances in the environment and help them to develop effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with these substances.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists work with individuals who have been injured or disabled to help them regain their independence and function. Toxicology knowledge can be helpful for occupational therapists who work with clients who have been exposed to toxic substances or who have conditions that may be affected by exposure to toxic substances.
Health Educator
Health educators work to promote health and prevent disease in communities. Toxicology knowledge can be helpful for health educators who work on issues related to environmental health and the prevention of exposure to toxic substances.
Regulatory Compliance Manager
Regulatory compliance managers are responsible for ensuring that their organizations comply with relevant laws and regulations, including those related to environmental health and safety. Toxicology knowledge is important for regulatory compliance managers who work in industries that use or produce hazardous substances.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications.
Seminal work that laid the foundation for the Tox21c field. It provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in toxicology and outlines a vision for the future of the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the toxicology of aquatic systems, covering the sources, fate, and effects of toxicants on aquatic organisms.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and applications of toxicology, covering the basic principles of toxicology, as well as the latest developments in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of toxicology, covering the basic principles and concepts of toxicology, as well as the latest developments in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and methods of environmental toxicology, covering the sources, fate, and effects of environmental pollutants on ecosystems.
Provides a conceptual framework for adverse outcome pathways (AOPs). AOPs are a tool for organizing and interpreting toxicity data and for predicting the potential effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.
Provides an overview of ecotoxicology. Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of chemicals on the environment.
Provides an overview of environmental health. Environmental health is the study of the effects of the environment on human health.

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