Genomic Approaches for Cross-Species Extrapolation in Toxicology

Outlines a research agenda utilizing technologies in omics and computational biology in order to elucidate similarities and differences among species; relate stressor-mediated responses to adverse outcomes; and, extend this science into approaches to risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.

The latest tools for investigating stress response in organisms, genomic technologies provide great insight into how different organisms respond to environmental conditions. However, their usefulness needs to be tested, verified, and codified. Genomic Approaches for Cross-Species Extrapolation in Toxicology provides a balanced discussion drawn from the experience of thirty-five scientists and professionals from diverse fields including environmental toxicology and chemistry, biomedical toxicology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, bioinformatics, computer science, and statistics.

The book introduces genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic technologies. It describes the advantages and challenges associated with these approaches compared to traditional methodologies, particularly from the perspective of cross-species extrapolation within human and environmental toxicology, and explores solutions that will facilitate the incorporation of these technologies into predictive toxicology. The book goes on to identify and prioritize species of animals that can serve as surrogates for environmental and human health in comparative toxicogenomic studies. The chapter authors elucidate similarities and differences among species, relate stressor-mediated responses to adverse outcomes, and extend this science into innovative approaches to risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.