Here at XCELLR8 we are excited and proud to be the first lab to offer completely animal-free versions of tests for human skin sensitisation and genotoxicity.
While versions of these tests have been available for a few years, the standard in vitro methods used animal components, such as rat liver extract and bovine and horse serum. Therefore animals had still ultimately been used. We wanted to address this to create completely animal-free tests for our clients. Over the last 6 months we have set up and validated two new methods in our lab:
KeratinoSensTM test for human skin sensitisation:
We have adapted the KeratinoSensTM test to use human serum to culture the cell line (replacing the bovine serum used in the original method). We conducted full Proficiency Testing as per OECD Test Guideline 442d, and successfully classified all 10 reference chemicals for their skin sensitisation potential. We have now successfully carried out a large volume of testing for clients in our GLP lab using this modified version of the test. A full technical report on the Proficiency Testing is available on request.
BlueScreenTM test for human genotoxicity:
We have adapted the BlueScreenTM genotoxicity test to use human serum and human liver extract. (The standard version of the test used horse serum and rat liver extract). We have carried out Proficiency Testing and successfully classified a panel of reference chemicals for their genotoxic potential. The adaptation of this test was carried out in collaboration with Gentronix Ltd, the developer and manufacturer of BlueScreenTM. We are now routinely providing this test for our clients and a full technical report on the Proficiency Testing is available on request.
We also offer routine cytotoxicity testing using human dermal fibroblasts in animal product-free culture (shown in the photo above).
If you’d like to find out more please contact us.
