Study contract required by JRC
The Validation of Biomedical Testing Methods Unit (ECVAM) at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra has issued an invitation to tender for a study contract on the development and refinement of CACO2 cells as an in vitro model of intestinal barrier function. ECVAM wishes to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals. Tenderers might wish to consider biological barriers and nephrotoxicology, as well as the possibilities of developing and using new cell culture systems to mimic the intestinal mucosa, in order to investigate drug, nutrients and xenobiotic absorption, as well as local biotransformation which could influence the oral bioavailability, general metabolism, activity and toxicity of such test items. The aim of the study subject to this call for tender is to refine the current CACO2 model in order to achieve a reproducible and relatively standardised method for better predicting human intestinal absorption, human intestinal metabolism and toxicity, to be used as a basis for human risk assessment. For further information please contact: European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Health and Consumer Protection Validation of Biomedical Testing Methods Unit (ECVAM) Mr M. P. Prieto Peraita TP 580 Via Enrico Fermi, 1 I- 21020 Ispra (VA) Fax +39-03-32785534