Techniques in Toxicology

Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695 

It is not the intent of this chapter to provide a synopsis of the science of immunology. Rather, this chapter is intended to provide a general overview of some basic immunochemical techniques that have proven invaluable to toxicological research. The following immunological terms are integral to the discussion of immunochemical analyses and are routinely used in this chapter. 

Immunogen Any foreign molecule (usually a protein) that elicits an immune response. 

Molecular and Biochemical Toxicology, Fourth Edition, edited by Robert C. Smart and Ernest Hodgson Copyright 2008 John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

Immune Response The production of antibodies by an organism in response to exposure to a foreign molecule (immunogen). The antibodies produced will recognize the foreign molecule. 

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Burczynski, M. (Ed.) (2003). An Introduction to Toxicogenomics—Describes, with examples, the use of genomic techniques in toxicology. 

Source Reprinted from Basak, S.C., Mills, D., and Gute, B.D. in Biological Concepts and Techniques in Toxicology An Integrated Approach, Taylor Francis, New York, 2006, 61-82. With permission. 

The decade of the 1980s was marked by prominent interest and activity in the applications of in vitro techniques in toxicology, both in the academic and industrial sectors. This activity was manifested by the appearance of a number of journals... 

The future of in vitro techniques in toxicological assessment takes us back to our introductory discussion of the philosophical and scientific considerations operating in the evolution of alternative methods. 

Gene structure and any of the processes involved in DNA expression including transcription, mRNA processing and translation and protein synthesis (Figure 2.2) can all be examined by molecular techniques. In toxicology this may include toxic effects on these processes or the role of the processes in the mechanism of toxic action. 

Chapter 2. Smart, R. C. Overview of molecular techniques in toxicology genes/transgenes. Chapter 3. LeBlanc, G. A. Immunochemical techniques in toxicology. 

Chapter 4. Meyer, S. A. Overview of cellular techniques in toxicology. 

Overview of Molecular Techniques in Toxicology Genes and Transgenes... 

OVERVIEW OF MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN TOXICOLOGY GENES AND TRANSGENES... 

R. Purchase, J. Phillips, and B. G. Lake, BIBRA Bull., 29, 5 (1990). Structure-Activity Techniques in Toxicology. 

Presently, the application of these techniques in toxicology is being actively pursued for the extrapolation between routes, between... 

A similar concern occurs when very sensitive in vitro studies indicate a chemical effect. In vitro studies take a cell or component of a cell out of the organism and maintain it alive in the laboratory. The effects of chemical exposure to these cells are then studied. This is a very sensitive and useful technique in toxicology when properly interpreted. For example, one could study the effects of chemicals on cells of the nervous system and detect potential effects. However, these same cells in the animal are very well protected by their location from ever coming into contact with this chemical. Secondly, some responses produced in isolated cells would be immediately counteracted by other cells in the intact animal. These tests have their place in toxicology. They can be used to probe the mechanism of action of an effect seen in animals, or be used as a screening tool to select compounds for further study in intact animals. 

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