This funding represents the first awards under the Complement Animal Research in Experimentation (Complement‑ARIE) program, focused on developing, validating, and standardizing new approach methodologies (NAMs) — including advanced in vitro and computational models that better reflect human biology.

Key elements of the initiative include:

• Establishment of Technology Development Centers to accelerate NAM development
• A NAMs data hub and coordinating center to support data sharing and standards
• A validation and qualification network to enable regulatory acceptance through public‑private collaboration
• Initial pilot projects in areas such as inhalation toxicity, developmental neurotoxicity, and rare diseases

This investment sends a strong signal that human‑relevant, animal‑free research approaches are moving from innovation toward broad implementation.

Read the news online: https://lnkd.in/dhwDZGZF

Watch the video: https://lnkd.in/de49AXcG 

In collaboration with the Adolphe Merkle Institute and ZHAW School of Engineering, advanced in vitro exposure at the air–liquid interface is now being applied to deepen the understanding of jet engine emissions.

We’re looking forward to further progress within the JETSTREAM project and to driving innovation in next-generation in vitro testing methods.

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• only very small quantities of material are available
• test substances should be evaluated in their native particulate form
• maximum material efficiency is required

By aerosolizing dry powders directly into the exposure chamber, researchers can generate dose-response profiles while preserving scarce and high-value materials, such as novel drug candidates.

At which stage does dry powder exposure become critical in your research workflow? 

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In practice, this is often challenging due to:

• Variability in aerosol generation
• Effects related to test article

Taking this one step further, we are introducing a new approach to inline photometer harmonization:

• Factory harmonization using a defined reference (“Golden Photometer”)
• Standardized aerosol generation for reproducible conditions
• Isokinetic sampling directly from the aerosol flow
• Digital calibration instead of manual adjustment
• Validation through linearity testing

Result: comparable data across devices, labs and experimental runs.

Benefit: reduced setup efforts and increased confidence in generated data.

Because in the end, it’s not just about measuring aerosols – it’s about trusting the data behind them. Curious how this could improve your measurement workflow? Let’s talk.

Innovation 
Solutions tailored to specific research questions, from aerosol generation to exposure and dosimetry.

Reliability 
Systems designed for long-term use, stable performance, and demanding laboratory routines.

Quality 
Structured processes, careful testing, and ISO 9001-certified operations to support consistent results.

Service 
Because advanced systems need more than installation. With V-CARE, we support laboratories with training, maintenance, technical expertise, and fast response when it matters.

Sustainability 
Durable systems, responsible material choices, and a long-term view on product design and support.

For us, being a partner means more than delivering equipment. It means understanding the research challenge, configuring the right solution, and staying involved beyond the first installation.  That is what makes VITROCELL unique.

Which of these five aspects matters most in your daily research work? 

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Why it helps your stats

• Parallel replicates in one go – generate key data under identical conditions
• Stable environment – water-heated base and exposure top for uniform temperature and healthy cells
• Hygienic, durable build – electropolished medical grade stainless steel; fully autoclavable

Dosimetry without losing balance

Use the fourth position for dosimetry and still keep three for exposure and three for sham:
• QCM for real-time deposited mass (ng/cm²·s)
• Stainless-steel liquid trapping insert – a simple, hands-on way to capture particle and gas constituents for qualitative or quantitative analysis
• TEM Grid Holder – for particle morphology studies

The VITROCELL 12/7 is compatible with all brands of 12- and 24-well inserts, is fully autoclavable, and includes media covers as standard.

Curious how the VC 12/7 fits your workflow? Have a look here: In vitro inhalation exposure module for 12 well sized inserts

Neuroprotection revealed: In human neurons, 33% xenon blunted propofol-induced damage and preserved key markers and morphology.

Conditional toxicity pinpointed: In primate neurons, desflurane showed toxicity only in differentiated cells and only after a 24 hour exposure. Shorter exposure and undifferentiated cells were largely unaffected.

These are not just results. They show what becomes visible when your exposure system does not add noise. This is the level of evidence NAMs need to move from promise to practice.

Ready to bring this rigor to your DNT and inhalation programs? Learn how the VITROCELL platform delivers stability and reproducibility for regulatory-grade studies.

Read more here:
https://doi.org/10.3389/ebm.2025.10606
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-019-01771-x

Dstl is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field, located in Porton Down, UK.

Their work underscores the importance of characterizing and validating advanced in vitro inhalation exposure systems before deploying them in research projects. In their study, the VITROCELL Cloud Alpha MOVE was rigorously tested and demonstrated:

A low variation in delivered dose across all 24 positions (±6%)
High deposition efficiency: 75.3% (determined via fluorescence-based FNA assay) and 72.4% (measured using an integrated QCM)
A clear, stepwise dose increase with each of five nebulizations (20% increments)

By validating the Cloud Alpha MOVE and confirming it meets stringent quality and performance standards, the team paves the way for robust and reproducible toxicological aerosol studies.

Congratulations to the Dstl team for this valuable contribution to inhalation toxicology and for highlighting the critical role of system validation.

Read the full Dstl Poster

Learn more about the Cloud Alpha MOVE

The AlveoliX Barrier-on-chip, especially the breathable lung-on-chip model, enables unmatched flexibility for inhalation research at the air-liquid interface.

Vitrocell’s advanced exposure systems accommodate all aerosol types for the AlveoliX AX12 – from gas and vapor phases to liquid aerosols and dry powders – enabling realistic, precise, and reproducible testing conditions.

This versatility empowers researchers to explore the full range of respiratory exposure scenarios under human-relevant conditions, from environmental pollutants, over combustion aerosols, to cutting-edge therapeutics.

Are you interested?

Discover the options here: Product News Organ-on-Chip Exposure