title: Toxicology: a discipline in need of academic anchoring--the point of view of the German Society of Toxicology.
abstract: The paper describes the importance of toxicology as a discipline, its past achievements, current scientific challenges, and future development. Toxicological expertise is instrumental in the reduction of human health risks arising from chemicals and drugs. Toxicological assessment is needed to evaluate evidence and arguments, whether or not there is a scientific base for concern. The immense success already achieved by toxicological work is exemplified by reduced pollution of air, soil, water, and safer working places. Predominantly predictive toxicological testing is derived from the findings to assess risks to humans and the environment. Assessment of the adversity of molecular effects (including epigenetic effects), the effects of mixtures, and integration of exposure and biokinetics into in vitro testing are emerging challenges for toxicology. Toxicology is a translational science with its base in fundamental science. Academic institutions play an essential part by providing scientific innovation and education of young scientists.
authors: Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Charité, Berlin, Germany. ursula.gundert-remy@bfr.bund.de.
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Gundert-Remy
authors: Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Barth
authors: Molecular Toxicology Group, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bürkle
authors: Leibniz-Institut für Arbeitsforschung, TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany.
authors: G H
authors: GH
authors: Degen
authors: Experimentelle Toxikologie und Ökologie BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Landsiedel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012958:Societies, Scientific; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Academia; In silico toxicology; In vitro toxicology; Omics; Regulatory toxicology; Toxicology; Translational science