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 1991-1992

A Comprehensive Computer Model of Metabolic-Endocrine-Circulatory Physiology

Richard LeRoy Summers, MD
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi

In vitro techniques provide insights into specific biological effects but often lack information about whole body physiological functioning. Dr. Summers proposes to develop a computerized mathematical model of metabolic-endocrine-circulatory physiology which will simulate physiological and pharmacological processes on the whole animal level. The proposed model will be the largest of its kind and will be made compatible for an IBM PC through the use of a simulation software support system that the researchers have already developed. If successful, this technology will be instrumental in refining protocols for whole animal testing and reducing the number of animals needed for pilot studies.