NRL for Experimental Immunotoxicology
Head: Markéta Dvořáková, M.Sc., Ph.D.
marketa.dvorakova@szu.cz
+420 267 082 430
The National Reference Laboratory for Experimental Immunotoxicology has been established by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. It deals with scientific research and reference activities, provides expert and consultancy services in the field of in vitro toxicology. It systematically monitors the latest information in the field of experimental immunotoxicology, collects and maintains data such as standards, methodologies, databanks for the performance of its activities, interpretation and evaluation of the data obtained and cooperation with similar foreign institutes. Scientific and research activities are focused on the development, validation, standardisation and implementation of the latest methods in the field of experimental immunotoxicology in accordance with the principles of quality assurance and quality management systems (GLP, ISO, OECD TG systems), drafting of methodological guidelines and standard methodologies. According to its capacity, the laboratory actively participates in research projects, provides pre-clinical tests of the effects of chemicals and other environmental factors according to the requirements of medical institutes, manufacturers and other organizations, using in vitro experimental studies.
The laboratory provides information on findings from its own activities and monitors the experiences of other institutions, including international ones. It actively collaborates in training of new in vitro methodologies, introduces new procedures into practice, and participates in scientific conferences or consultation days on specialized topics. The laboratory ensures consultations, verification, and refinement of results obtained in other laboratories following good laboratory practice principles and offers specialized reference services. One of its tasks is also the creation of specialized materials for intervention programs, considering potential impacts on public health and assisting in the resolution of epidemiologically or hygienically significant situations, including assessment, advisory, coordination, and methodological activities in this area of public health.
Currently, the laboratory focuses on the development, implementation, and validation of in vitro toxicological methods using cell and tissue cultures to replace conventional animal testing in the fields of reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and neuroendocrine toxicity. The facility is a leading qualified laboratory in the field of in vitro toxicology in the Czech Republic and has been notified as a member of the network of qualified European laboratories EU-NETVAL. This international network, consisting of approximately 35 qualified laboratories, is utilized by the European Commission to collaborate on the development and validation of in vitro toxicological methods that do not involve animal testing and are highly relevant to humans. The collaboration is coordinated by the EU Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL-ECVAM), which is part of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). The personnel of the laboratory are members of OECD working groups and contribute to the activities of leading European scientific societies focused on in vitro toxicology (ESTIV) and alternatives to animal testing (EUSAAT). The facility is accredited by the Czech Accreditation Institute (ČIA) as a testing laboratory according to EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ensures quality assurance in line with good laboratory practice (GLP) principles. The laboratory head is appointed as the quality assurance unit manager within the GLP system. The NRL for Experimental Immunotoxicology utilizes the personnel capacities of the Department of Alternative Toxicological Methods. The validated in vitro toxicological methods enhance the expertise offered by the Department of Alternative Toxicological Methods, thereby increasing the scientific potential and competitiveness of the Center for Toxicology and Health Safety at the National Institute of Public Health.
Personnel of the Department of Alternative Toxicological Methods, currently actively involved in the activities of the NRL for Experimental Immunotoxicology:
- Markéta Dvořáková, M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Dagmar Jírová, M.D., Ph.D.
- Kristina Kejlová, M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Lada Svobodová, M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Eliška Pácalová, M.Sc.
- Jana Losová
- Danuše Šimáková
Methods and Equipment:
Cultivation techniques, light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, fluorimetry, spectrophotometry, luminometry, flow cytometry, immunochemistry, reporter gene assays.
Samples:
Liquid and solid materials and their extracts, nanomaterials, chemical substances and their mixtures, cosmetic products, medical devices, non-pathogenic sterilized biological samples.
Test Systems:
Cell lines, reconstructed human tissue models, organ models, organoids, etc.