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This research project aims to develop in vitro methodology for investigating the toxicological effects of dietary chemicals in liver and lung tissue.
<p>The project aims to optimise the necessary conditions for precision-cut tissue slices to function in a state comparable to in vitro conditions for toxicological assessment. Factors perceived to affect the viability of the tissue slices include the type and composition of the gas phase and the culture medium.
<p>Modifications of known cryogenic techniques have been performed on liver and lung tissue with the aim of preserving the cellular structure and metabolic function over an extended period.
<p>In vitro studies with liver and lung tissue slices investigated xenobiotic metabolism and xenobiotic-induced toxicity, with particular emphasis being placed on the metabolic differences between liver and lung.
<p>Work was performed in collaboration with six other laboratories as part of the EU Biotech program project, "Euroslices". BIBRA was to concentrate on studies on human and rat liver slices and rat lung slices.
Previous studies to identify potentially toxic dietary chemicals in order to assess likely risks have used animal data that are subsequently extrapolated to humans.
<p>However, there is a requirement to reduce the number of animals used. An approach to minimising animal use is the application of cell-based strategies, where multiple slices of tissue from the same source are used in experimental toxicological assessments.
<p>Maximisation of source material is of particular importance given that human tissue is of limited availability. Therefore an improved method of preserving tissue to be used for in vitro screening at a later date is necessary.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.