Micro chips could prove animal testing alternative
strongly oppose animal testing of cosmetics and new EU regulations
that will completely ban such tests loom, companies are searching
for testing alternatives. US scientists believe they may have a
solution.
They are recreating the human body on a microchip using cells from different organisms linked by fluid channels. Referred to as a 'human-on-a-chip', the creation is said to mimic the physical body on a miniature scale, showing how individual body organs react to specific ingredients or chemicals.
The micro chip technology was developed by a team led by Michael Schuler at the Cornell University in New York, who believes that, although the chips will not completely replace comprehensive laboratory trials, they will help to identify potential dangers earlier on in the testing process.
The scientists say they can recreate any of the bodies organs in an effort to determine the effects on different parts of the body that a wide range of chemicals have. The tests can determine predictive toxicology, drug metabolisms and pharmacokinetics as well as secondary and tertiary screening.
Schuler has gone on to set up a company with colleague and co-founder Greg Baxter, and the help of financial backer Athena Capital Partners. Called Hurel, the business aims to market the chips to companies that are trying to cut back on animal testing of chemical-based and pharmaceutical products.
Additionally it is said that the micro scale testing method can increase throughput to human clinical tests, reduce research and development expenditure, accelerate the time to market of the product, ultimately increasing product revenues.
The company has already established a contract with Johnson & Johnson to collaborate on the technology and is also in discussions with a number of leading pharmaceutical and consumer product companies to further develop the technology.
It aims to provide scientific guidance and funding during a one-year research and development program to fully validating the technology and ready the company's first products for general, commercial release.
The project started its activities in the third quarter of 2005 and is due to finish by the end of this summer.
