Episkin Academy training: ENMV Sidi Thabet- Tunisia, february 23-26, 2015

The National School of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with ATSAL (Association Tunisienne des Sciences des Animaux de Laboratoire) and ICLAS (International Council for Laboratory Animal Science) organized a training in animal experimentation which aims to promote the rule of the 3 Rs and encourage the use of alternative methods using new cell technological tools.

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The National School of Veterinary Medicine Sidi Thabet organized a training in animal experiments which  theme was: "From in vivo models to cell models".

This training took place in ENMV of Sidi Thabet (University of Manouba) and lasted 4 days from 23 to 26 February 2015.

34 participants (biology doctoral students, teacher-researchers, veterinarians, industrial and control pharmacists) were informed of the new cell technologies and alternative methods which aim to replace animals in drug-Toxicological, chemical and cosmetics testing. Practical workshops and round table helped to promote exchanges and networking with European partners.

Main objectives:

- Promote good practice and ethics in animal experimentation based on the principle of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
- Presentation and training on new cellular technologies (2D and 3D) on two organs: liver and skin (primary liver cells, liver microsome, skin cells ...) in the pharmaco-toxicological and pharmaceutical research.
- Present the situation in Europe and internationally of the new technologies (in silico, in vitro, omics "adverse outcome pathways") in the academic and regulatory (REACH) context.
- This training also offers an opportunity to discuss collaborative projects (medium and long term) with the scientific and medical community as well the pharmaceutical industry in the new research program called European "Horizon 2020" and beyond.

The Episkin Academy presented the Pharmacotoxicology applications of the 3D reconstructed human epidermis models during the round table. This presentation was followed by a training session on the use of our epidermal tissues.

Scientific Program:


9h00 – 12h00 14h00 – 17h00
Monday
Feb 23, 2015
- Welcome and registration
- Ethics and Welfare AL
- Guiding principles CIOMS / ICLAS
- Recommendations of the OIE (OIE)
(Ouajdi Souilem, ENMV Sidi Thabet)
Workshop 1
Demonstrations on in vivomodels
Team Azal / ENMV / IPT
Tuesday
Feb 24, 2015
- Place of alternative methods in EA
(Sarrah M'barek, ISSBAT, Tunis)
-Internationally trendof the 3Rs and funding opportunities
(François Busquet coordinator CAAT, EU, Belgium)
- Zebrafish Model and Applications
(François Busquet, EU Brussels)
Workshop 2
REACH and MA Dissemination in Tunisia
Intervention of the Chemistry technical center
Setting up a test platform (François Busquet)
Wednesday
Feb 25, 2015
- Cell culture: advantages and limits
(Olfa Masmoudi, FST, Tunis)
- In vitro toxicology - pharmacology
(Christophe Chesné, France)
- Applications in pharmacotoxicology of 3D reconstructed human epidermal models
(Christian Pellevoisin, France)
Workshop 3
2D models: liver cells
HepaRG BIOPREDIC (Christophe Chesné)
Thursday
Feb 26, 2015
Workshop 4
3D models: skin cell culture
Episkin Academy - Lyon (Christian Pellevoisin)
Synthesis, debate and Discussion
Distribution of certificates
Closing Ceremony