A Biological Model of the Effects of Toxic Substances
Abstract
Due to the basic nature of military operations, it is sometimes necessary for Air Force personnel to be exposed to toxic chemicals in their work environment, either as a protracted low-level exposure or as a high-level, acute exposure. The Draize rabbit eye test for acute irritancy has come under severe criticism by the animal rights movement and has undergone legislative restrictions. Therefore, the tissue culture test being developed is likely to commercial as well as scientific benefit. Progress by Topical Testing during the past year has been on a number of technical fronts including the development of data collection software and a method for delivery of microquantities of toxic chemicals to individual nerve cells in tissue culture. The neuronal cultures are now viable and reproducible, and their response to a variety of chemical stimuli has been recorded. Corneal epithelial cultures have been viable for a number of months. A number of strategies have been explored to expand the corneal epithelial culture and thus make it a viable commercial system. In summary, Topical Testing has made substantial gains in the development of a commercial assay system, and next year will focus on testing the system's response to different classes of toxic chemicals. Bioassay, Environmental. toxins, Detoxification, Tissue Culture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 29, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA247138
Entities
People
- Robert P. Tuckett