title: Overview of alternative methodologies in toxicology.
abstract: In vitro toxicology generally refers to the study of toxicological phenomena in non-whole-animal models. This broader connotation includes studies utilizing isolated organs, tissue slices, explants cultures, and isolated primary cells, as well as cell lines and subcellular fractions (e.g., microsomes). These model systems have made major contributions to toxicological sciences, particularly in our understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity, xenobiotic metabolism, and species differences in expressions of toxicity. This unit reviews the use of in vitro models and their value in toxicology testing.
authors.affiliation: European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gribaldo
mesh_terms: D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards