Coordinated Research Funding

The SCAHT extramural coordinated research programme aims to support Swiss applied toxicology research currently not financed by the SNF. Thereby, it helps filling existing gaps in toxicological research prioritized by major human health problems of regulatory concern. Through this research program SCAHT has also been building a Swiss regulatory toxicology research network providing sustainability in this field highly relevant for human and environmental health. This network is built around the Swiss Higher Education Institution SCAHT members: Universities of Geneva, Basel and Lausanne and the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz.

The SCAHT extramural research program is set up new every 4 years depending on the SERI funds granted to the SCAHT in the respective funding period. Topics align with regulatory needs in the field. The request for proposals is advertised within the SCAHT network and needs to be answered by SCAHT and external partners to constantly broaden the network.

SCAHT Research Coordinator: Dr. Stéphanie Boudon

Core Projects

Project lead: Alex Odermatt – University of Basel

Work package leads:

WP1: Markus Lill (University of Basel)
WP2: Alex Odermatt (University of Basel)
WP3: Jamal Boutibir (University of Basel)
WP4: Claudia Cavelti-Weder (University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich)
WP5: Isabel Meister, Serge Rudaz, Julien Boccard (University of Geneva)

Steroid hormones regulate essential body functions such as reproduction, metabolism, fluid balance, and immunity. Chemicals that disrupt steroid receptors or hormone synthesis/metabolism are linked to diseases like cancer, metabolic and immune disorders, neurological issues, and developmental impairments. While much research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has focused on estrogens, androgens, and thyroid hormones, less attention has been given to substances disrupting corticosteroid homeostasis despite their essential roles in cardio-metabolic and immune functions or those disturbing adrenal and gonadal steroid production with high relevance to metabolic and developmental disorders. This core project expands previous SCAHT research by identifying and characterizing substances that disrupt steroid hormonal homeostasis, aiming to understand their mechanisms and impacts on metabolic diseases, hypertension, inflammation, development, and reproductive health.

Project Lead: Myriam Borgatta – Unisanté (University of Lausanne)

Work package leads:

WP1: Myriam Borgatta (Unisanté, University of Lausanne)
WP2: Aurélie Berthet (Unisanté, University of Lausanne)
WP3: Serge Nef, Rita Rahban (University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospitals)
WP4: Fanny Zufferey (Hôpital du Valais - Institut Central des Hôpitaux)
WP5: Isabel Meister, Julien Boccard, Serge Rudaz (University of Geneva)
WP6: Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser (Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg), Florian Breider (EPFL)

The overall objective of this project is to use inhalation exposure as a central strategy to characterize the human toxicokinetics of two major classes of airborne chemicals: plastic additives and phytocannabinoids. CP2 involves controlled exposure studies in healthy participants and aims to characterize internal doses that may potentially lead to biological effects. Complementary laboratory and in vitro experiments are planned to evaluate biological responses and potential toxicity affecting lung and reproductive functions. By integrating human exposure studies with advanced analytical techniques and supporting in vitro investigations with human internal dose of the teste chemicals, the project will generate novel and relevant toxicological data, including mechanisms of action. These insights are highly relevant for SCAHT and regulatory authorities, as current chemical risk assessments largely rely on animal or in vitro studies conducted under short‑term, high (oral)‑dose exposure conditions. CP2 will also strengthen Switzerland’s contribution to international initiatives such as the OECD Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) program.

Project Lead: Marie-Gabrielle Zurich (University of Lausanne) & Laura Suter-Dick (FHNW)

Work package leads:

WP1: Marie-Gabrielle Zurich (University of Lausanne), Laura Suter-Dick (FHNW)
WP2: Marie-Gabrielle Zurich (University of Lausanne), Laura Suter-Dick (FHNW)
WP3: Laura Suter-Dick (FHNW), Marie-Gabrielle Zurich (University of Lausanne)
WP4: Serge Rudaz (University of Geneva), Shana Sturla (ETH Zürich)

The overall objective of the project is to address a key uncertainty in the DNT IVB: the absence of microglia. Despite the acknowledged role of microglia in neurodevelopment and in neuroinflammation, dedicated test methods to complement the existing test battery are currently lacking. Moreover, recent publications reported a direct action of environemntal chemicals on microglia. Chemicals may affect microglia functions and interactions with other cell types leading to lasting consequences for the developing brain and potentially to neurodevelopmental diseases. Therefore, it is essential to take microglia into account when evaluating the developmental neurotoxicity of chemicals. To address this, the development and optimization of assays to assess microglia viability and function following chemical exposure are proposed. This project aims to answer questions of particular regulatory interest and thus perfectly aligns with the SCAHT funding program.

Coordinated Research Funding

Core Projects

Core Project 1: CASA – Identification and Characterization of Chemicals Altering Steroid Hormone Action and Assessment of their Adverse Health Effects

Core Project 2: Establish a panel of respiratory and reproductive parameters of plastic additives and phytocannabinoid exposures by inhalation in women and men

Core Project 3: Role of microglial cells in development neurotoxicity (DNT) : bridging a gap in the DNT in vitro battery (IVB)