Ontario Researcher Wins PETA Science Group and MedTec Award to Replace Animal Tests

Winner to Receive State-of-the-Art Technology That Mimics Lung Exposure to Chemicals

For Immediate Release:
June 14, 2021

Contact:
Amanda Hays 202-483-7382

PETA Science Consortium International e.V. and MedTec Biolab Inc. are pleased to announce that Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods located at the University of Windsor, has won a free air-liquid interface in vitro device that can help replace the use of animals in inhalation toxicity testing.

Regulatory agencies require testing of chemicals used in commercial products to understand how inhaling them affects human health. These tests involve forcing animals to inhale chemicals while confined to narrow chambers for hours. The CelTox Sampler, manufactured by MedTec Biolab, can be used to expose non-animal lung cell models to a variety of substances (e.g., chemicals, cigarette smoke, or nanomaterials) at the air-liquid interface, mimicking human exposure. With the CelTox Sampler, Chandrasekera will assess the acute inhalation toxicity of chemicals in vitro using a novel 3-D bioprinted human respiratory tract tissue model (Alveoli-in-a-Dish) developed at her center.

“Dr. Chandrasekera’s winning proposal showed exemplary scientific merit and promise in replacing tests on animals,” says Science Consortium President Dr. Amy Clippinger. “We look forward to the contributions that she will make in the field of human-relevant toxicity testing using the CelTox Sampler.”

“At MedTec, we are excited to see Dr. Chandrasekera incorporate the CelTox Sampler into her research and help promote the use of New Approach Methodologies. The CelTox Sampler’s unique features and versatile design are an ideal complement to her ambitious scientific proposal,” says Dr. Jose Zavala, president and owner of MedTec Biolab. “It’s a great feeling to see my technology make a difference in the field, and I thank PETA Science Consortium International for working together to provide this award.”

“I am very grateful to the Science Consortium and MedTec Biolab for this valuable gift,” says Chandrasekera. “The CelTox Sampler will play an integral role in the development and validation of our Alveoli-in-a-Dish model, poised to replace animals in inhalation toxicity testing.”

For more information, please visit ThePSCI.eu, MedTecBiolab.com, and UWindsor.ca/ccaam.