The Research group Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry develops and applies methods to determine the effects of substances present in our environment, food and medicines, without the use of animal testing.

Lines of research within the research group

Our research focuses on the use of renewable raw materials and green energy for production and developing sustainable solutions for existing materials. Within this line, research is conducted into the conversion of biomass to biomaterials and biofuels, and the development of bioplastics (biobased and biodegradable) and 'green chemistry' strategies for recycling existing plastics and designing safe chemicals.

Projects

In our research we aim to completely close the water cycle. Our focus is on producing high-quality healthy, safe and sustainable drinking water, with special attention to harmful substances (pesticides, PFAS) and climate adaptation. In collaboration with companies, governments and knowledge institutions (KWR), we are working on developing a vision of the future for our drinking water.

This line of research concerns the transition from the refinement, replacement and reduction of laboratory animal suffering to animal-free innovations. The emphasis is on developing human-physiologically relevant research models that are able to provide answers to issues in toxicology. We focus on smart combinations of test methods such as cell cultures, stem cell organoids, the nematode C.elegans and computer simulations to determine the effects of chemical substances.

Projects

In our projects we investigate how recent lifestyle concepts (exercise is healthy) and new non-invasive diagnostic measurement methods (saliva methods) can be applied to improve the fitness of cancer patients or the health of overweight people. In our research we use innovative immunological and microbiological analytical technologies.

Projects

In our research we strive to apply advanced analytical chemical and biological techniques to enable innovations in the health and nutrition domain. We investigate both beneficial and potentially harmful effects of natural substances, particularly on the intestines and the immune system. Collaborations with our partners (start-ups and established companies, other knowledge institutes) are focused on themes such as food safety, protein transition, and the development of innovative production methods for medicines.

GITools

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ORANGE FORCE: ORal ANd GEneral health For OldeR people’s CarE

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Virtual Human Platform 4 Safety Assessment

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Imagine a world in which we perform precision safety testing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals without using laboratory animals. Imagine that this safety can be assessed for vulnerable groups.

Researchers in a laboratory

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Education

In our research we strive to apply advanced analytical chemical and biological techniques to enable innovations in the health and nutrition domain. We investigate both beneficial and potentially harmful effects of natural substances, particularly on the intestines and the immune system. Collaborations with our partners (start-ups and established companies, other knowledge institutes) are focused on themes such as food safety, protein transition, and the development of innovative production methods for medicines.

ILC Laboratory Cyrille Krul

“Research and education are both driven by curiosity and are not treated as separate processes, especially in relation to laboratory (biomedical) research.”

Cyrille Krul Professor of Innovative Testing in Life Sciences & Chemistry

Collaboration

The research group formed the basis of the Innovation Lab (iLab) Life Sciences & Chemistry in Utrecht, which provides the space for collaboration with professionals who are active in professional practice. We also work closely with other research institutes, as well as with partners from the (international) business community.

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Would you like to collaborate or do you have any questions?

Nicole Volbeda