Objective
A battery of reliable and validated in vitro assays is needed to test for genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of chemicals (as in the REACH programme) without resorting to animal experiments. The comet assay, a sensitive indicator of DNA damage, will be combined in this project with the Cell Array system, to establish and validate high capacity assays suitable for chemical testing. Up to 800 cell samples will be processed for comets on a single microscope slide. Arrays will use cells with different metabolic capabilities, and data on cytotoxicity will be obtained in parallel with DNA damage. A medium-throughput assay will also be developed. Comet analysis by differential staining of damaged/undamaged DNA using established and novel dyes combined with automated image analysis will be faster and more reliable than at present.
A crucial aspect of the cellular response to DNA damage is DNA repair; variations between people can affect cancer risk. Genotoxic chemicals can act by interfering with repair.
Two methods for measuring repair, one based on the comet assay, the other using a 'Repair Chip' approach, will be compared. In addition, fluorescent probes which lock onto the DNA after hybridization ('padlock probes') will be applied to study gene-specific DNA repair. The modified comet assay methods will be assessed for reproducibility and sensitivity in an inter-laboratory prevalidation trial, using a coded set of standard chemicals, to satisfy regulatory bodies as well as industrial users of the technology. The result will be robust, validated, high-throughput in vitro genotoxicity tests. This proposal brings together academic partners and SMEs, together with a large industrial concern, and the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). Dissemination through professional and trade publications, regulatory channels, and scientific conferences will lead to widespread adoption of the new methods.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences comets
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
OSLO
Norway
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.