8.01 - Bioengineered Systems and Alternative Models: Shaping the Future of Environmental Toxicology

Description

The development and application of alternative animal models and bioengineered systems are revolutionizing environmental toxicology and risk assessment. This session will focus on cutting-edge advances that reduce reliance on traditional animal testing while enhancing predictive power, biological relevance, and regulatory acceptance. We welcome presentations on advanced in vitro systems, including 3D cell cultures, spheroids and organoids, bioprinted tissues, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and microphysiological systems, alongside alternative whole-organism models such as zebrafish embryos, Daphnia, and other regulatory-relevant species. Contributions highlighting biotechnological innovations, including biofabrication, tissue engineering, stem cells, and high-throughput screening tools, are particularly encouraged. This session also aims to foster dialogue on how these new approaches can complement conventional toxicological testing, improve mechanistic understanding of chemical stressors, and align with regulatory frameworks for environmental risk assessment. Case studies demonstrating successful applications, validation strategies, and challenges in regulatory uptake and how it will help shape the future of bioengineered systems in environmental science will be discussed.