14th International Conference on Environmental Mutagens (ICEM)
September 6, 2026 – September 10, 2026
Edinburgh, Scotland
The mission of HESIâs Emerging Systems Toxicology for the Assessment of Risk (eSTAR) Committee is to develop and deliver innovative systems toxicology approaches for risk assessment. The committee aims to catalyze adoption of new translational and predictive tools that guide decision-making based on mechanistic understanding of toxicological response.
This project is developing transcriptomic-based biomarkers that will be predictive of particular molecular initiating events leading to rat liver tumors. The group has also launched an experimental study in wildtype & knockout rats for molecular initiating events.
This Consortium has initiated the design and implementation of a pioneering experimental study to advance integration of in vitro âomics approaches (Cell Painting, transcriptomics, and proteomics) into safety evaluation. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) grant has been awarded to our nonprofit partner, the Broad Institute, at $1,000,000! Matched with contributions from our 16 industry partners, we expect a total project budget of approximately $4.2 million.
This group is exploring the use of error corrected sequencing to identify non-genotoxic tumorigenic agents in rodents. An inventory of samples from members was compiled that can be used to measure cancer driver genes. A pilot study has been completed comparing study designs to detect clonal expansion.
This team designed a study looking at the effect of different nephrotoxicants on multiple miRNAs using an in vitro model for proximal tubule cells. They also conducted a multi-site experimental program on the use of exosomal miRNAs expressed in response to renal toxicants; manuscript published in 2024.
This group was awarded a $250,000 USD grant (U01) as part of the US FDAâs Biomarker Qualification Program in 2022. This funding was partnered with Committee resources to support a four-site ring trial generating additional data on the TGx-DDI biomarker. Submission package is being prepared for qualification and the group is exploring other opportunities such as the OECD Test Guideline process.
Learn more about the use of the TGx-DDI transcriptomic biomarker for the genotoxicity assessment of data-poor chemicals here (poster presented at the 2021 EMGS Virtual Annual Meeting by Anne-Marie Fortin, University of Ottawa).
This Working Group has compiled a broad membership of experts across sectors and chemical classes to write a recently accepted manuscript on the state of the science on the use and potential applications of transcriptomic PODs. Future work will include discussion of bioinformatic methods to derive transcriptomic PODs.
FFPE Project: A manuscript on DNA de-modification analysis of clinical tumor samples was accepted; the project will sunset after an educational webinar.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Syngenta
September 6, 2026 – September 10, 2026
Edinburgh, Scotland
May 26, 2026 – May 29, 2026
Washington, DC, USA
May 6, 2026 – May 9, 2026
Newark, DE, USA
March 22, 2026 – March 25, 2026
San Diego, CA, USA
HESI Global committees will be attending the SOT 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.
October 22, 2025
Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Two HESI Global committees are participating in the 2025 ASCCT Annual Meeting, supporting HESIâs mission to advance science for a safer, more sustainable world.
October 14, 2025 – October 16, 2025
Durham, NC, USA
The HESI eSTAR Committee is holding a workshop to discuss research questions related to transcriptomic point of departures (tPODS), focusing on the bioinformatic differences. We will identify research gaps, present case studies, and dive into datasets.
Cell Systems, 2026
A HESI Global OASIS Consortium study shows how Cell Painting boosts cytotoxicity detection and mode-of-action discovery in human hepatocytes.
Toxicological Sciences, 2025
Weâre excited to share a recent publication from the HESI Global Emerging Systems Toxicology Committee of a multi-site validation study on the TGx-DDI (toxicogenomic DNA damage-inducing) biomarker, now available in Toxicological Sciences.
Toxicological Sciences, 2025
This open-access paper outlines how in vitro methods paired with multi-omics technologiesâsuch as transcriptomics, proteomics, and Cell Paintingâcan be integrated to create more predictive, human-relevant methods for chemical risk assessment.
Toxicological Sciences, 2025
A new commentary from HESI Globalâs Emerging Systems Toxicology for the Assessment of Risk (eSTAR) Committee, âNavigating complexity in modern toxicology: the role of omics in short-term in vivo studies,â offers a forward-looking perspective on how omics technologies are transforming chemical risk assessment.
Toxicological Sciences, 2025
This comprehensive review, from HESI's Emerging Systems Toxicology for the Assessment of Risk (eSTAR) Committee, explores the use of transcriptomic points of departure (tPODs) to enhance toxicological safety assessment.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2024
This study from the HESI eSTAR miRNA Working Group is aimed to find biomarkers that can predict kidney damage.
The Emerging Systems Toxicology for the Assessment of Risk (eSTAR) Committee is part of the Center for Translational Sciences. This HESI Center serves as a focal point for staff to share strategic approaches, scientific developments, management best practices and innovations with other related HESI committees.
Other Committees in the Center for Translational Sciences are:
For questions about the Center contact:
hesi@hesiglobal.org
Phone: +1-202-659-8404
Fax: +1-202-659-8403
740 15th Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
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