Luijten appointed as Professor of Human-Relevant Risk Assessment of Chemical Substances
Reliable method
As of 1 July, toxicologist Mirjam Luijten from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) starts as professor by special appointment at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR).
In her new role as Professor of Human-Relevant Risk Assessment of Chemical Substances, she will focus on developing innovative approaches to evaluating the safety of chemicals. ‘My goal is to create a reliable, scientifically sound method that is also accepted by regulatory bodies,’ she says. The central theme of the chair, which is funded by RIVM, is what’s known as ‘next-generation risk assessment’. This approach aims to assess the safety of chemical substances for humans using a combination of modern testing methods – from computer models to lab-based (in vitro) tests.
The selection of methods is based on the mode of action via which chemicals induce adverse health effects in humans. The focus of this chair is on so-called non-genotoxic carcinogens – substances that may cause cancer through mechanisms other than direct DNA damage. For this group, Luijten develops new testing strategies comprising combinations of methods that are relevant to humans. These strategies are intended to be used in the approval process for chemical substances in products such as cosmetics, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Mirjam Luijten: ‘By working closely with researchers, policymakers and industry, we can accelerate the development of next-generation risk assessment. That way, we’re contributing to a future in which we can reliably predict the cancer-causing effects of chemicals in humans – without using animal testing.’
Joining forces
LACDR and RIVM make a strong team. For LACDR and Leiden University, the collaboration brings in more knowledge about regulatory processes for chemical substances, and offers valuable opportunities to translate fundamental research into practical tools for policy. ‘At the same time, RIVM gains access to the cutting-edge testing methods that LACDR is developing in the field of toxicology.’
A natural partnership, then. ‘The challenges of developing next-generation risk assessment are significant. That’s why we need to join forces – so that together we can make a meaningful contribution to this new approach.’
LACDR and RIVM are already working closely together on the European projects RISK-HUNT3R and PARC. Both focus on next-generation risk assessment, and in both projects Luijten plays a leading role.
Direct link to regulators
Bob van de Water, professor at LACDR, welcomes the new collaboration with Luijten and RIVM. ‘Our innovative methods and our insights into how substances cause harm will now be brought directly to the attention of regulatory authorities. That’s incredibly important for making sure the knowledge and expertise we’ve built up at LACDR can be applied in the real world. I see a lot of potential in this closer collaboration.’
Luijten herself is excited to get started in Leiden. ‘I get a lot of energy from this. In addition to research, I’m also passionate about teaching and helping train the next generation of professionals. I’m really looking forward to that too.’