Toxicogenomics
At the Department of Toxicogenomics (TGX), a multidisciplinary team of (cell) biologists, chemists, geneticists, toxicologists and bioinformaticians is working in close collaboration to establish the biological impact of exposures to potentially toxic compounds and to develop safe therapeutic strategies for genetic and non-genetic diseases. The rapid development of omics-technologies, has enabled us to establish responses on different molecular levels with higher sensitivity than most classical effect markers, and providing information on the involved molecular mechanisms of action. As such, toxicogenomics research combines toxicology with genomics approaches, and in particular next generation sequencing, in order to obtain more accurate understanding of toxicological processes and related disease mechanisms in order to maintain, restore or improve normal function. The application of these innovative omics-technologies in in vitro investigations of human, (patient-derived) cell models, in human population studies and in human health risk analysis can be regarded as the central research paradigm of our department.
Fast facts
- Focuses on more accurate understanding of toxicological processes
- Led by prof. dr. T. de Kok
Our Mission
The mission of Department of Toxicogenomics is to explore, develop and to exploit the full potential of innovative cell technologies and genomics platforms, for the purpose of advancing mechanism-based in vitro assays using human cells, for predictive toxicology, as well as for developing novel biomarkers of toxic exposure and related diseases to be used in human population studies. Furthermore, we aim to contribute to the prevention and treatment of human disease by facilitating the development of safe drugs, stem cell therapy and consumer products without animal testing, by designing (personalized) prevention and treatment strategies and the identification of environmental health hazards.
Our Network
The department has strong collaborations both on the national level, and on the international level in the context of numerous EU and non-EU projects. Within Maastricht University there is a long history of collaboration with various clinical departments in the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). The Department of Toxicogenomics is part of the GROW Research School for Oncology and Developmental Biology and the MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience and involved in the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio).
Papers published in 2020
Upcoming
11th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences 2021 (WC11)
WC11 will be held in Maastricht, the Netherlands from 22-26 August 2021. The general theme of the congress, ‘3Rs in transition: from development to application’, emphasizes the increasing focus on the use of better, more human-relevant models for personalized and preventive health care, safer products and innovative research.
WC11 will explore the latest in 3R R&D and will provide a multidisciplinary programme covering more traditional themes as well as very latest issues and novel developments in the field of alternatives to animal testing in the life sciences. Registration.
Stay updated or submit a session for the scientific program via the official website www.wc11maastricht.org. Also subscribe for our newsletter for important news and developments.
