ORCHESTRA

Different communities have different needs sometimes. Even if a common protocol and common tools are desirable, there are cases where interests are different. For instance, industry may need tools for the development of new candidate chemicals, which optimise the search taking into account properties different from the toxic ones. While in the development of new drugs industry wants to avoid false positives (candidate compounds which then fail), regulators prefer to avoid false negatives (chemicals which are predicted safe, while they are toxic). Furthermore, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries develop models based on confidential data, for internal purposes, while for regulatory purposes data have to be disclosed.

As ORCHESTRA's main aim is to promote the use of in silico models, it is necessary to know how the possible users percieve the use of these methods and techniques in their own area. In order to do that we have compiled preliminary lists of:

• NEEDS: what people need for their jobs?
• BENEFITS: how QSAR (and more in general in silico methods) could help people in their own day-to-day tasks?
• BARRIERS: which are be the motivations that have lead people to decide not to use in silico methods?
• SUPPORTS: what kind of support action/services could be useful in order to help people using in silico methods and so to improve the use of these methods?

In order to improve our understanding on the points above, and so to refine the lists, a brief questionnaire have been developed and sent to stakeholders from the different communities.

Survey of the benefits and barriers to the use of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR)

We would like to ask for your thoughts about the use of QSAR/In Silico methods in toxicology, based on your experience of using them – or not using them.

We really hope you can take a few minutes to complete it.

Complete it online or Read more..

Special content will be added soon related to:

 

Regulators

Environmental protection, chemical registration, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, biocides

Citizens

Citizens Associations, consumer associations

Industry

Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, Food

Academia

Information technology, toxicology, chemistry, environmental sciences

NGOs

Environmental protection, animal protection

Students

PhD students, masters students

The Consortium of ORCHESTRA involves groups expert in dissemination and contacts with society sectors, including professional communicators, experts on communication via Internet, teachers.

Particular attention will be paid to INDUSTRY, through associations, and REGULATORS, with a series of seminars.