Evidence-based Toxicology from Coursera

Welcome to the Evidence-based Toxicology (EBT) course. In medicine and healthcare, evidence-based medicine has revolutionized the way that information is evaluated transparently and objectively. Over the past ten years, a movement in North America and Europe has attempted to translate this revolution to the field of toxicology.

The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) within the department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health hosts the first chair for EBT and the secretariat for the EBT Collaboration on both sides of the Atlantic. Based on the Cochrane Collaboration in Evidence-based Medicine, the EBT Collaboration was established at the CAAT to foster the development of a process for quality assurance of new toxicity tests for the assessment of safety in humans and the environment.

Regulatory safety sciences have undergone remarkably little change in the past fifty years. At the same time, our knowledge in the life sciences is doubling about every seven years. Systematic review and related evidence-based approaches are beginning to be adapted by regulatory agencies like the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the US National Toxicology Program. They provide transparent, objective, and consistent tools to identify, select, appraise, and extract evidence across studies.

This course will showcase these emerging efforts and address opportunities and challenges to the expanded use of these tools within toxicology.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction & Shortcomings of Current Approaches

This module introduces you to the course, outlines the shortcomings of current toxicity testing approaches, and shows how EBT can help to overcome these shortcomings.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Lena Smirnova and Thomas Hartung, who are recognized for their work in the field of Evidence-based Toxicology (EBT)

Develops the skills and knowledge in Evidence-based Toxicology, which are highly relevant in academic and regulatory settings

Examines health risk assessment principles that are essential for understanding the safety of chemicals and drugs

Covers emerging efforts and addresses opportunities and challenges in the expanded use of Evidence-based Toxicology tools

Explores the history and causation of health risks, providing a solid foundation in the principles of Evidence-based Toxicology

Requires a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and statistics, which may be challenging for beginners

Reviews summary

Evidence-based toxicology methods and review

According to learners, this course offers a valuable introduction to Evidence-based Toxicology, focusing heavily on systematic review and meta-analysis methods. Students highlight the instructors' expertise and the clarity of the lectures, finding the content directly relevant to regulatory science and research. The final systematic review assignment using SysRev is frequently mentioned as a highly practical component, though some found it challenging or time-consuming. While the core methodology is well-received, some learners noted that the biostatistics module could be difficult, suggesting it might require prior knowledge. Overall, the course is seen as a strong foundation for applying evidence-based principles in toxicology.

Provides a strong base in EBT.

"The course provided a strong foundation in EBT."

"Gave me the principles to evaluate evidence objectively."

"A great introduction to this emerging field."

"I now understand the importance of transparent evidence evaluation."

Directly applicable to toxicology.

"The content is very relevant to my work in toxicology."

"Applicable to regulatory science and research."

"Provided tools for objective evidence evaluation."

"I can immediately apply these methods in my field."

Instructors are knowledgeable & clear.

"The instructors were clearly experts in the field."

"Lectures were presented with clarity and depth."

"I appreciated the instructors' insights and experience."

"The course benefited greatly from the instructors' knowledge."

Hands-on systematic review practice.

"The final systematic review assignment was very practical."

"Working with SysRev gave me valuable hands-on experience."

"The assignment was demanding but reinforced the concepts."

"SysRev tool usage was a highlight for practical learning."

Core methodology is well taught.

"The course provided a thorough understanding of systematic review methods."

"Focusing on systematic review methodology was the most valuable part."

"Applying systematic review techniques is a key takeaway."

"I learned how to identify, select, appraise, and extract evidence."

Some found this module challenging.

"The biostatistics module was a bit challenging for me."

"I felt like I needed more background in biostatistics."

"Some quantitative parts were difficult to follow."

"Might require supplementary study for the stats sections."

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 Evidence-based Toxicology with these activities:

Review Fundamentals of Biology and Chemistry

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Strengthen your foundational knowledge by reviewing key concepts in biology and chemistry, enhancing your understanding of toxicology principles.

Browse courses on Biology

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Identify areas where you need to refresh your knowledge
Review relevant textbooks, notes, or online resources
Complete practice problems or exercises to test your understanding

Read Casarett & Doull's Toxicology

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Expand your foundational knowledge of toxicology by reading a comprehensive textbook, providing a deeper understanding of concepts covered in the course.

View Casarett & Doull's Essentials of Toxicology,... on Amazon

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Review chapters relevant to the course
Take notes and highlight key concepts
Complete practice questions or exercises from the book

Engage in Peer Discussions

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Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing by actively participating in peer discussions and group study sessions.

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Join or create a study group
Prepare for discussions by reviewing materials
Engage in discussions and share perspectives

Six other activities

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Practice Bradford Hill criteria application

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Strengthen your ability to distinguish between correlation and causation.

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Review the Bradford Hill criteria and their application in toxicology.
Analyze real-world case studies and apply the Bradford Hill criteria to determine causation.
Discuss the limitations and challenges of using the Bradford Hill criteria.

Explore Advanced Toxicology Software

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Enhance your technical skills by following tutorials and exploring advanced software used in toxicology research.

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Identify software relevant to your interests
Find tutorials and documentation for the chosen software
Follow tutorials and practice using the software

Design a Toxicology Experiment

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Develop your experimental design skills by planning and outlining a toxicology experiment to test a specific hypothesis.

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Define the research question and hypothesis
Design the experiment, including controls, variables, and data collection methods
Write a detailed experimental protocol

Design a Systematic Review Protocol

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Develop a plan for conducting a comprehensive literature review on a specific toxicology topic.

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Identify the research question and define the scope of the review.
Develop a search strategy to identify relevant studies.
Establish criteria for selecting studies for inclusion in the review.
Plan for data extraction and analysis.
Write a clear and concise protocol outlining the review process.

Create a Toxicology Infographic

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Develop your scientific communication skills by creating a visually appealing infographic summarizing key concepts of toxicology.

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Research and gather relevant information
Choose an appropriate infographic format
Design and create the infographic using visual design tools

Mentor Junior Students in Toxicology

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Enhance your understanding by mentoring junior students in toxicology, reinforcing your knowledge and fostering leadership skills.

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Connect with junior students seeking guidance
Provide support and guidance on course material
Share your experiences and insights in toxicology

Career center

Learners who complete Evidence-based Toxicology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of chemicals and other substances on human health and the environment. They develop and conduct studies to assess the safety of chemicals and products. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Toxicologists understand the potential risks and benefits of chemicals and products. It can also help them design studies to evaluate the safety of chemicals and products. This course is a valuable resource for [name] who are interested in careers in toxicology or environmental health.

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Toxicological Pathologist

Toxicological Pathologists study the effects of chemicals and other substances on the body. They examine tissues and organs to determine the cause of death or illness. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Toxicological Pathologists understand the potential risks and benefits of chemicals and other substances on the body. It can also help them determine the cause of death or illness in cases of poisoning or exposure to toxic substances. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in toxicology or pathology.

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Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to data from biological, medical, and public health studies. They design studies, analyze data, and interpret results to help researchers understand the causes and effects of disease and other health problems. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Biostatisticians understand the statistical methods used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new treatments and interventions. It can also help them design studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and interventions. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in biostatistics or public health.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists study the causes and effects of disease and other health problems in humans, animals, and plants. They develop new treatments and interventions to prevent and cure disease. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Research Scientists understand the potential risks and benefits of new treatments and interventions. It can also help them design studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in toxicology or public health.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components and processes. They develop and implement solutions to environmental problems. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Environmental Scientists understand the potential risks and benefits of chemicals and other substances on the environment. It can also help them design studies to evaluate the safety of chemicals and products. This course is a valuable resource for [name] who are interested in careers in environmental science or public health.

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Risk Assessor

Risk Assessors evaluate the risks of hazards to human health and the environment. They use scientific data to develop risk assessments that help decision-makers make informed decisions about how to manage risks. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Risk Assessors understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new technologies. It can also help them develop accurate and reliable risk assessments.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and the application of this study to the control of diseases and other health problems. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Epidemiologists understand the causes of disease and other health problems. It can also help them design studies to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in epidemiology or public health.

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Science Writer

Science Writers develop and write science content for a variety of audiences. They work with scientists, researchers, and the general public to provide accurate and up-to-date information on science and technology. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Science Writers understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new technologies. It can also help them write accurate and up-to-date science content. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in science writing or public health.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to extract meaningful insights. They use their findings to help businesses make better decisions. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Data Analysts understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new products and services. It can also help them develop and implement effective data analysis techniques. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in data analysis or public health.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to improve their health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Health Educators understand the latest research on the causes and effects of disease and other health problems. It can also help them develop and implement effective educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in health education or public health.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that products meet all applicable regulatory requirements. They work with government agencies to ensure that products are safe and effective. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Regulatory Affairs Specialists understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new products. It can also help them prepare submissions to regulatory agencies. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in regulatory affairs or public health.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers oversee the quality of products and services. They develop and implement quality control procedures to ensure that products and services meet all applicable standards. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Quality Assurance Managers understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new products and services. It can also help them develop and implement effective quality control procedures. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in quality assurance or public health.

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Product Safety Manager

Product Safety Managers oversee the safety of products. They develop and implement safety protocols to ensure that products are safe for consumers. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Product Safety Managers understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new products. It can also help them develop and implement effective safety protocols. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in product safety or public health.

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Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates manage clinical trials. They work with researchers to design and conduct clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new treatments and interventions. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Clinical Research Associates understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new treatments and interventions. It can also help them design and conduct clinical trials. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in clinical research or public health.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers develop and write medical content for a variety of audiences. They work with healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public to provide accurate and up-to-date information on health and medical topics. Evidence-based Toxicology can help Medical Writers understand the latest research on the safety and effectiveness of new treatments and interventions. It can also help them write accurate and up-to-date medical content. This course may be particularly useful for [name] who are interested in careers in medical writing or public health.

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