Publication of the special issue of computational toxicology on the in silico toxicology protocol initiative

In 2016, we initiated a new project to develop a standardized procedure for in silico experts performing assessments, similar to in vitro or in vivo test guidelines. This would streamline the application of in silico methods, ensure best practices are adopted, and defend its use to colleagues, peers, and regulators.

The general framework paper¹ was published in 2018, followed by a protocol for genetic toxicology² in 2019, and a protocol for skin sensitization³ in 2020.

Since then, there has been considerable activity developing additional position papers and protocols, and much of this work is now included in a special issue of computational toxicology “In silico toxicology protocol initiative”⁴. The special issue includes 8 papers along with an editorial.

This body of work reflects an enormous effort on the part of the hundreds of collaborators on this project and will support the further acceptance and routine use of in silico methods at the same time as avoiding unnecessary animal studies.

We wish to thank all the collaborators and congratulate them on the completion of this special issue.

If you are interested in discussing this project in more detail, please contact me (Glenn Myatt; glenn.myatt@instem.com).

References

1. G.J. Myatt et al., In silico toxicology protocols, Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 96 (2018) 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2018.04.014.
2. C. Hasselgren et al., Genetic toxicology in silico protocol, Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 107 (2019) 104403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.104403.
3. C. Johnson et al., Skin sensitization in silico protocol, Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 116 (2020) 104688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104688.
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/computational-toxicology/special-issue/10ZD1MJ9982