Objective
The ATHENA consortium aims to mobilise the scientific progress made in recent years to close critical gaps left open in test methods for thyroid hormone axis disrupting-chemicals. We will develop new methods for incorporation into existing OECD test guidelines that can capture the consequences of maternal thyroid hormone deficiency on the developing brain, due to disruption of delivery of thyroid hormones to the foetus. To make this possible, we will establish new endpoints for identifying down-stream effects on the developing brain in foetal and post-natal life. We will provide new test methods for chemicals that interfere with the delivery of thyroid hormones to the foetus and the adult brain across physiological barriers such as the placenta, the blood brain barrier and the blood brain cerebrospinal fluid barrier. We will also develop QSARs for the screening of large compound libraries and methods for capturing disruption of the local supply of thyroid hormone by inhibition of deiodinases, dehalogenases and cell membrane transporters. Based on the construction of AOP networks for adverse neurodevelopmental effects, we will deliver a comprehensive testing strategy that can protect from chemicals that have the potential to harm brain development in foetal life and adulthood by disrupting the availability of thyroid hormones. Finally, ATHENA will conceive strategies for the international harmonisation of screening, testing and hazard identification for thyroid hormone axis disrupting chemicals. ATHENA comprises world-leading endocrinologists, experts in endocrine disruption and experts in modelling brain function ex vivo who collectively will deliver a step change in thyroid disruptor testing.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation action
Coordinator
UB8 3PH Uxbridge
United Kingdom
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Participants (10)
2800 Kgs Lyngby
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10117 Berlin
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75794 Paris
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
75005 Paris
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1081 HV Amsterdam
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3015 GD Rotterdam
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70182 Orebro
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91000 Evry
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
651 88 Karlstad
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501 15 Boras
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