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Omics and New Approach Methodologies
Product development programs for chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals can be onerous, costly, and rely heavily on testing in animal models. However, we are now seeing the introduction of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) as alternatives to traditional methods. In addition, NAMs can also offer help to companies looking to make data-driven decisions around their development pipelines.
Potential of Omics Solutions
Defined as high throughput screening that includes omics and computer modelling strategies, NAMs support the 3Rs (replace, reduce, refine), advancing responsible science, safety-by-design, and aim to accelerate and increase the reliability of tests required for regulatory approval of new products. Metabolomics and lipidomics have much to offer as a NAM, owing to the detailed characterization of metabolic phenotypes using high throughput screening and low sample volumes.
Samples from ongoing studies can aid predictive toxicology by providing information on the metabolite and lipid composition, when taken together with other data streams such as transcriptomics. Using an experimental design that supports NAM strategies, Charles River offers a comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic screening service for targeted and untargeted endogenous analytes across a wide array of biological systems and matrix types.
Saving Precious Sample Materials
Samples for omics studies are routinely transferred from ongoing toxicology studies to serve as an additional, exploratory, analytical endpoint. In this way, a significant amount of additional analytical data can be extracted from valuable, and often scarce, sample materials.
To ensure high data quality, your program is supported by the latest high resolution Thermo Orbitrap LC-MS systems. These are optimized for high throughput metabolomic and lipidomic analysis and enable bespoke configurations to support client methods. Experienced analysts, skilled in analyte extraction and method development, prepare samples for analysis with the help of robotics in GxP certified labs.
Data quality and system variability is monitored with rigorous system suitability and post-acquisition data checks, using relevant quality controls and standards. User supervised normalization and integration of raw mass spectral data, followed by statistical analysis, enables identification of differentially abundant analytes across experimental groups, which can aid in biomarker identification.
A Powerful Alternative
Taken together, multiomics approaches are powerful for understanding the mode of action and prediction of adverse outcome pathways and offer a step away from the intensive use of animals in determining hazard, toxicity and performing risk assessment for human health in the 21st century.
Find out how we can support your programs today.
LSX World Congress
Charles River joins LSX USA 2025 to present on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)—advancing innovation, investment, and partnerships in the future of healthcare.
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