My motivation for contributing to EEMGS is related to my long-standing interest, research and enthusiasm for the field of Environmental Mutagenicity and Genomics. I have lab-based and regulatory experience with several OECD guideline methods, along with experience with upcoming novel methodologies. I am highly motivated for the future development of the field since I believe we are heading for a great shift within genetic toxicology. I have a particular interest in the effects on male germ cells and believe that encouraging and facilitating cooperation worldwide will enhance the field.
With the rapidly increasing use and production of novel environmental agents, with potential mutagenic and/or carcinogenic effects, I believe that there is a strong need for an active European organisation like EEMGS to facilitate connection, knowledge exchange, identification of knowledge gaps and introduction of novel methodologies, in a European perspective. I am motivated to contribute to the field with my knowledge and to hopefully increase and gather Nordic participation in EEMGS. Since the number of experts within the field has decreased in recent years, I find it important to focus on educating the new generation of experts.
During recent years the need for the development of New Assessment Methods (NAMs) to reduce the use of in vivo animal experiments is rapidly increasing. In order to obtain such a shift in a responsible manner, there is a need for knowledge regarding both the existing in vivo methods and new relevant NAMs. Expertise with knowledge regarding predictive abilities and applicability domain for each method is warranted and should be focused upon by EEMGS. The development of NAMs has high priority within my institute, where I take lead regarding methodology related to genetic toxicology.
I have long standing experience with both animal experiments and in vitro models ranging from simple bacterial models to the more sophisticated hIPSC and 3D-models. I have worked with the comet assay for decades, in the group of Gunnar Brunborg, and run TGR assays (TG 488) in both germ cells and somatic tissues, experience with the Pig-a assay (TG 470) and a flow-based micronucleus assay. My expertise includes knowledge within the field of DNA damage and repair and within omics (RNA seq (targeted and genome wide), DNA seq (mutagenicity), DNA methylation analyses (both genome-wide and targeted approaches), miRNA expression analyses and use of machine learning and prediction signature development.
I believe that my experience can be valuable in a position as vice-president of EEMGS to path the way for the future EEMGS. I am motivated to take part as a spokesperson for the activities of EEMGS internationally and to contribute to increasing research collaboration between EEMGS and other similar organisations around the globe. Through my work as an expert for ECHA, I believe I can contribute with a regulatory perspective, and hence contribute to bridging the gap between researchers and regulators within the field. I believe that we should try to influence the very slow process from idea to fully accepted OECD-method. I have been involved in several OECD-processes and am leading one of these now (revision of the in vivo comet to include analyses of testicular germ cells).
By voting for me as vice president of EEMGS I will try to contribute as best I can.