COST ACTION 21111, OneHealthdrugs | One Health drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases in Europe and beyond

WORKSHOP: “Environmentally friendly systems to replace classical animal models in drug testing for VBD”

14-15 May 2024 | i3S, Porto, Portugal

Mini-Workshop: “Young Innovators”

15 May 2024 | i3S, Porto, Portugal

Dear friends and colleagues,

We are delighted to extend our warmest welcome to the International workshop “Environmentally friendly systems to replace classical animal models in drug testing for VBD” and mini-workshop “Young Innovators” joint event of the COST ACTION 21111-OneHealthdrugs – “One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond”. This meeting will be held from Tuesday, May 14th, to Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, in Porto, Portugal, at i3S, University of Porto.

OneHealthdrugs COST Action network aims to coordinate the discovery of drugs that stop vector-borne infections in both human and veterinary settings according to the principles of the optimal profile for these organisms, increasing quality and reducing environmental impact.

This workshop explores innovative approaches to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drug therapies as alternatives to conventional animal models, with a specific focus on their applicability to Vector-Borne Parasitic Diseases (VBD). We will delve into advancements in bioengineering techniques, including 2D and 3D tissue cultures, such as organ-on-chip systems, non-traditional organism models like zebrafish and chick embryos, and computer /mathematical models. The workshop will be organized by WG3 (“Coordination of in vitro-to-in vivo translation of One Health leads and candidates”), WG4 (“Integration of R&D process-environmental studies and translation in informed whitepaper”), and WG6 (“Promote the transfer of knowledge and beyond”). Besides invited speakers, presentations will be selected based on submitted abstracts.

During the “Young Innovators Mini-Workshop” and to assist their future scientific careers, young researchers will engage in sessions on “Career Development” and on “Green and sustainable practices in scientific research”. This mini-workshop is organized by HG4 (Young Researcher Innovators Organization).

We look forward to your participation and the submission of your abstract. We are thrilled to welcome you to what is guaranteed to be a highly enthusiastic and intellectually rewarding meeting.

With warm regards,

The Scientific Committee,
Ana Tomás, ICBAS and i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Anabela Cordeiro da Silva, FFUP and i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Elisa Uliassi, University of Bologna, Italy
Guy Caljon, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Harry de Koning, Glasgow University, UK
Joana Tavares, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
José Maria Alunda, University Complutense of Madrid, Spain
Maria Paola Costi, University of Modena, Italy
Rolf-Alexander Düring, Giessen University, Germany

The Local Organizing Committee,
Ana Tomás, ICBAS and i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Anabela Cordeiro da Silva, FFUP and i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Clara Lima, FFUP and i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Joana Tavares, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

More information is available at https://onehealthdrugs.com .

The meeting will be held at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto.

Rua Alfredo Allen, 208; 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Tel: +351 226 074 900 | E-mail: events@i3s.up.pt
GPS coordinates: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W.

Day 1 | 14 May

13h00 Refreshment

14h00 Welcome Session

14h15 Scientific sessions: invited speakers

Recent developments in the human-animal relationship - reviewing the 3Rs concepts in animal experimentation.
Prof. Stephanie Krämer, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Germany (virtual presentation).

Capabilities and limitations of zebrafish embryos in drug discovery toxicology for VBD
Prof. Steven Van Cruchten, University of Antwerp, Belgium

Bottom-up approaches for recreating perfusable microvascular 3D Networks in vitro
Cristina Barrias, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM): An alternative beyond traditional animal models in drug testing
Marta Pinto, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

16h00 Coffee break and networking

16h30 Scientific sessions: invited speakers

Computer-Based Modelling in the field of 3R Animal Protection
Prof. Peter Jedlicka, Faculty of Medicine Justus-Liebig-University and NeuroScience Center Clinical Neuroanatomy, Germany (virtual presentation)

Profile-quantitative structure-activity relationship (pQSAR) platform
Feher, Vicki, Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, CA, USA (virtual presentation)

17:30 Keynote Lecture Chair: Drug Discovery for parasitic diseases: powered by technology, enabled by pharmacology, informed by clinical sciences.
Srinivasa Rao, Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, CA, USA (virtual presentation)

18:30 Getting together networking

20h00 Dinner

Day 2 | 15 May

09h30 i3S Scientific Platform visits
Zebrafish – Joana Marques
The Chick Embryo Model– Marta Pinto

10h30 Coffee break and poster session

11h30 Selected Speakers from Abstracts submission

Simple, quick, low-cost assays to evaluate anti-parasite hit compounds before embarking on in vivo experimentation
Harry De Koning, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

Application of the CAM model to the study of disseminating and non-disseminating Leishmania infections
Filipa Dias, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

Incorporating host sanctuary and parasitic quiescence in animal-friendly antileishmanial drug screening assays
Caljon Guy, University of Antwerp, Belgium

Advancing drug discovery against malaria: advantages of using a non-classical mouse model for efficacy studies
Joana Tavares, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

Machine Learning-Based Predictive Models for Assessing Toxicity Towards Model Organisms: A Sophisticated Approach
Johander Inacio Dos Ramos Azuaje, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (virtual presentation)

13h00 Refreshment

14h00 Ecotoxicology

Enhancing ecotoxicology and drug testing: Towards healthier medicines and healthier habitats
Eli Thoré, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, Sweden

Quantifying wildlife behavioural responses: a new approach to chemical regulation and possibilities for implementation during drug development
Michael Bertram, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, Sweden (virtual presentation).

15h00: Young Innovators Organization Mini-Workshop
Welcome session

15h10: Green and sustainable practices in scientific research

Green Lab Initiative: reducing the carbon footprint of the i3S since 2020.
Daniela Sousa, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

Sustainable chemistry for greening the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
Dario Corbisiero, University of Bologna, Italy (virtual presentation).

16h00 Coffee break

16h30 Career development in research

16h30 Responsible conduct in research
Susana Magalhães, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

17h00 Roadmap to Career Development: Crafting your path in Academia and Industry
Paula Perez, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

17h30 Award of the best presentation and Closing

Keynote lecture:
Srinivasa Rao, Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, CA, USA

Invited Speakers:
Steven Van Cruchten, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Peter Jedlicka, Faculty of Medicine Justus-Liebig-University
Prof. Kräme, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Feher Vicki, Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, CA, USA;Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, Sweden;
Eli Thoré, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå, Sweden
Cristina Barrias, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal
Marta Pinto, i3S, University of Porto, Portugal

The call for abstracts will be open until 10 April 2024. 

Abstracts should be structured according to the following template:

Abstract template >>

Abstract submission should be done in the registration form >>

Registration if free, but mandatory. Registration includes coffee breaks and lunches. The participation in the dinner is subject to payment.

Registration deadline: 10 April 2024

The event registration requires two steps :
1) create an e-COST account in the www.cost.eu and
2) register below: 

Registration form >>

More information:
Events Management Unit | Rua Alfredo Allen 208 | 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Email: events@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900