New technology could end animal testing
Monday, 30 November 2009 19:54
A chip that could bring about the end of animal testing is being unveiled at the launch of the first ever Nanoweek.
Toxichip, which was developed at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, is capable of monitoring how cells behave and interact with drugs, chemical pollutants in the environment and toxic substances in food and beverages.
Cell-based biosensors, developed and made at Tyndall, integrated in the Toxichip platform also have the potential to replace animal testing currently used in toxicity screening.
Already two companies, one in Ireland and a second in France, are seeking to invest in and apply this new technology.
The first Nanoweek is running from 30 November to 4 December.
Of the €150bn in goods and services exported by Ireland in 2008, it is estimated 10% were enabled by nanoscience and related nanotechnologies.
Nanoweek is an initiative of The Nanoscience Network and will involve school visits in Cork, Limerick, and Galway, as well as workshops, conferences, exhibits and debates aimed at educating the public of the importance of nanoscience and its application.
