Sweden’s new toxicology research centre

摘要

Mechanisms, markers and models – the 3Ms – will take centre stage at a new Swedish toxicology sciences research centre called Swetox. The collaboration between 11 of Sweden’s leading universities promises to combine the mode-of-action approach to toxicology and risk assessment with the better-known 3Rs: to replace, reduce and refine animal tests. “We will cover any chemicals that are of concern,” says ?ke Bergman, professor of environmental chemistry at Stockholm University, who was recently appointed Swetox head. These include pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, cosmetics and additives. Importantly, Swetox will also concentrate on degradation products and metabolites, he adds. “My hope is that we will be able to approach many more chemicals than the scientific community has done so far.”