The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing is an academic center affiliated with the Division of Toxicological Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Research Grants 1987-1988

Human Hepatocytes in Monolayer Culture: An In Vitro Model for Toxicity Testing

Charlene A. McQueen, PhD
American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York

McQueen will investigate the potential of human liver cells in vitro as a system for toxicity testing. So far, liver cells appear to show the same metabolic capacity in vitro as in vivo. A system such as the one McQueen proposes would circumvent having to extrapolate from animal data to humans. During her research, McQueen will check parameters of toxicity in liver cells and look at their sensitivity. In addition, she will compare properties of preserved cells with properties of freshly collected ones.