Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology

Founded in 1983

• SSCT is essentially a small scientific discussion club for Scandinavian cell toxicologists. The main aim is to meet each year in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden) to exchange ideas and to present research at an In Vitro Toxicology Workshop. Since the foundation of the Society 20 such annual meetings have been arranged. Proceedings have regularily been published in ATLA, since 1985.

• Another urgent aim of SSCT is to evaluate the relevance of cellular toxicity tests. Since the start of the society, a special committee, elected by SSCT, has planned and organised an international multicenter study to evaluate the relevance of in vitro cytotoxicity tests for systemic toxicity, i.e. the 1989-99 MEIC programme. The results have been published in ATLA and indicate a high relevance of in vitro cytotoxicity tests for predicting human acute toxicity.

• SSCT is the scientific leader of the multicentre programme EDIT (Evaluation-guided development of In Vitro Test Batteries) .The aim of EDIT is to establish and validate in vitro tests on toxicokinetics and organ specific toxicity to be incorporated into optimal test batteries for the estimation of human acute systemic toxicity. The programme is a continuation of the MEIC project and the specific aim is to refine and optimise the original MEIC in vitro test battery.

• A third aim of SSCT is to promote the use of in vitro tests and strategies in toxicology and allied diciplines. Primarily, these methods are promoted because of their scientific value. Cellular strategies often lead to increased precision and improved analytical power, compared to animal tests. Also, the cellular methods are less cruel than the animal tests, which is an added bonus recognized by SSCT. Therefore, SSCT has recently taken initiative to a Nordic Information Center on Alternative Methods, NICA.

• Since 1992, most organizers of the SSCT annual workshops have encouraged cell toxicologists from Eastern Europe (Russia, Baltic countries, Belorussia, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, and Poland) to attend the meetings and join the society. Also, toxicologists from Belgium and Germany are SSCT members. Cell toxicologists are so few in each country. There is a clear advantage spread information about SSCT to more countries and to create an innovative research network.

Revised 030107