A valuable research and development tool

In OVO testing process (on avian embryos): a fast, efficient and practical means of evaluating the inocuity/toxicity of chemical and environmental compounds (process is exempt from legislation concerning animal testing)

Introduction

The ability to quickly and efficiently evaluate the effect of chemical and environmental compounds on living organisms and to predict their impact at an early stage can prove a challenge with regards to the management of public health and the environment. In ovo screening (amniotic model), is an innovative technology that provides a solution to this problem through a process that enables testing to be first carried out on bird embryos.

Embryonic toxicity when first tested on bird embryos both enables a clear understanding of possible effects on humans as well as reducing the number of tests that need to be carried out on animals. In ovo screening can prove to be highly beneficial in R&D programmes where the key objective is the identification of new molecules.

The testing process

The process can be applied in three distinct ways: by exposing the surface of the embryo to the chosen molecule/sample, by means of injection into the embryo and finally, by targeting specific organs

The process can be implemented by means of an injection directly into the embryo. This level of testing ensures a clear understanding of the internal impact of a specific molecule or sample on the entire living organism

Injections can target the brain, muscles, skin, kidneys, amniotic fluid, pigmentary & digestive systems, bones etc. This, the most precise level of testing, gives R&D professionals the ability to understand with a very high level of detail the impact of molecules or samples on a specific organ.

• Highly sensitive model
  -  Low concentrations of molecules/samples in a small volume of injection required (from ml to nl)
  -  Ability to detect multiple biomarkers simultaneously
  -  Possibility to carry out several tests simultaneously
• Study relevant to the whole organism
  - Model enables the implementation of physiological and metabolic/molecular process studies relating to  
  pathways as well as studies of complex molecular pathways
• Amniotic vertebrea Model
  -  Similar results to those you would expect to find in humans
• Ethical model
  -  Complies with demands made by the REACH directive. Exempt from legislation regarding animal testing
• Short, highly accurate and reproducible tests
  -  Increases efficiency of process/more experiments can be carried out within the same time frame
• Analysis of high throughput screening
  -  Enables user to test molecules that have just been discovered to give a rapid indication of toxicity/innocuity
• Breakdown of molecules suitable for testing : Chemical molecules, Nanostructures, Electromagnetic emissions, Water, effluents etc.
  
  -  Highly versatile model

Service available

• Customized services (bespoke testing available on demand)
• Quantitative analyses of the impact on embryos at different stages of their development
• Macroscopic Analyses for the detection of malformations or mortality induced by treatment
• Histological and molecular analyses, follow up with biomarkers, in situ hybridization, immuno-histochemistry, cell cultures genotoxicity etc.
• Comparative analyses, correlation between phenotypic results and molecular pathway networks, databank analyses
• Analysis of results, explanation, interpretation and report delivery.

Potential Applications

► Toxicological risk analysis
► Environmental risk analysis
► Analysis of risks in public health
► Water/effluent analysis

Commercial opportunities

Floralis is currently looking for industrial partners who may benefit from this exciting new technology as part of their R&D programs

Contacts

Florence Alesandrini
Technology Transfer
Tél. +33 (0)4 76 00 78 35
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