Safety Testing

Assessing Compound Safety at Vivaltes

At Vivaltes, we use C. elegans and cell-based assays to evaluate compound safety efficiently. Our ethical models assess toxicity, developmental effects, and long-term health risks. C. elegans mutants allow us to investigate key biological pathways, providing predictive, mechanistic insights. To strengthen safety assessments, we integrate metabolomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

C. elegans has

a 2-3

week long lifespan
300-350

offspring in a lifetime

C. elegans is an effective model for testing safety due to its simple physiology, rapid lifecycle, and genetic tractability. It allows for real-time monitoring of responses to environmental stressors, toxins, and chemicals, providing insights into potential hazards, including reproductive and developmental toxicity.

Its high reproductive rate and transparent body enable the study of the effects of compounds on offspring production, developmental stages, and organogenesis. Its high-throughput capabilities make it ideal for screening compounds to assess safety, toxicity, and developmental or reproductive risks efficiently.

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity (DART)

The transparency of *C. elegans* enables direct visualisation of development and reproductive toxicity in live organisms.

The expression and localisation of GFP-labeled vitellogenin during embryo development provides insight into reproductive toxicity.

We assess reproductive and developmental toxicity using C. elegans fertility, embryogenesis, and growth assays. These models detect disruptions in reproductive health, offspring viability, and early development, offering insights into potential human risks.

C. elegans toxicity testing mirrors key reproductive cycle stages in mammals, offering a rapid, ethical, and cost-effective alternative. Key stages include:

Gametogenesis – Disruptions in sperm and oocyte production reflect fertility impairments.
Embryogenesis – Developmental arrest, lethality, or malformations mimic teratogenic effects.
Fetal Development – Larval growth delays and tissue defects indicate developmental toxicity.
Postnatal Development – Delays in maturation parallel postnatal developmental disruptions.
Reproductive Maturity – Reduced brood size, delayed maturation, and endocrine disruption mirror mammalian reproductive toxicity.

By capturing these stages, C. elegans provides a mechanistically relevant model for reproductive toxicity screening, reducing reliance on mammalian testing.

Genotoxicity & Cellular Stress

DAPI staining is used to investigate genotoxicity in *C. elegans* by highlighting DNA damage and assessing chromosomal integrity.

Using C. elegans and cell-based assays, we screen for DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Stress response markers and automated tracking reveal compound effects at the molecular and functional levels, ensuring a comprehensive safety profile.

All experimental assays

Next Experimental assay

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