IIVS releases technical training video on non-animal testing methods in laboratories

Funded by a grant from the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc.(IIVS) has released a technical training video that describes a cell-based in vitro method for assessing phototoxicity - the potential for chemicals to cause damage after being exposed to light.

The 19-minute video is the second technical training video on non-animal methods produced by IIVS with EPAA's support. Both videos are designed to help scientists from industry and regulatory agencies perform these animal-saving methods in their own laboratories. Many industries around the world, including the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors, need to assess phototoxicity to ensure the safety of their products. The video is available in English, with subtitled versions in Chinese and Portuguese, filling a void in reaching a wide audience of scientists in countries where reliance on animal testing remains strong.

"We have an immense demand for training in non-animal methods from scientists around the world," said Erin Hill, Co-founder and President of IIVS. "The videos provide extremely detailed information that helps implement and standardize testing in laboratories we cannot reach."

EPAA, the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to animal testing between the European Commission and Industry, has several activities to promote the use of non-animal methods.

"Video tutorials nicely complement the work of our project teams in sharing knowledge and promoting actual and global implementation of alternative methods. The videos also allows interested scientists to consult them as many times as needed to familiarize themselves with the assay" remarks Gianni Dal Negro, EPAA industry Co-Chair. In order to ensure maximum dissemination and transparency, EPAA provides the videos free of charge on the EPAA website, YouTube and other channels to get them into the hands of those who need them to complete their work.

An earlier training video on a non-animal method for assessing eye irritation: the BCOP (Bovine Corneal Opacity & Permeability Assay) is also available in several languages.