Mutagenicity prediction using in silico Methods: Gigabyte-size Petri dishes

Abstract

The use of predictive toxicology methodologies presents the advantages of avoiding the use of animal tests and providing results in a faster way. Among the techniques employed, in silico toxicology has experimented a notable surge in interest, mainly because the increase in computational power has allowed the use of datasets and algorithms capable of yielding predictions as valid as a traditional in vitro assay. In this lecture, an overview on the predictive toxicology methods will be given, comparing in vitro and in silico approaches and showing how they fit within ICH M7 regulatory guidelines, with special emphasis on in silico methods and how Lhasa solutions can be used to predict mutagenicity within this framework.