Predictive models for herbicide toxicity and biocompatibility
A comprehensive project to evaluate the toxicity and biocompatibility of herbicides using alternative models like allelopathy and Artemia salina assays, alongside the inclusion of phytocompounds to enhance formulation safety and efficacy.
Overview
This research initiative aims to predict the toxicity and biocompatibility limits of herbicides using innovative alternative models. The project will also explore the inclusion of herbal extracts rich in phytocompounds as allelochemicals in herbicide formulations. By employing models such as allelopathy assays and Artemia salina lethality tests, the study seeks to enhance the safety and efficacy of herbicides without the need for ethical committee authorization.
Technical specifications
Key methods and models:
- Allelopathy assay: Evaluates biocompatibility and the bioselectivity of herbicides in seed germination, offering a sustainable approach for developing safer products.
- Artemia salina lethality assay: Provides a sustainable alternative to classical toxicity assays, predicting toxicity limits in eukaryotic organisms.
- Daphnia magna toxicity assay: Assesses physiological alterations at sublethal concentrations in organisms.
- Immortalized human/murine cell models: Predicts toxicity limits using human and murine cell lines.
Technology readiness level
The project is currently at TRL 3, indicating that active research and development are ongoing, with experimental proof of concept achieved. Future validation will involve comprehensive testing across multiple models over a planned three-month period.
About Universita degli Studi Gabriele d'Annunzio di Chieti e Pescara
Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio” Chieti–Pescara is a comprehensive public university serving the Abruzzo region, with two campuses and an affiliated teaching hospital. Co‑located clinical, preclinical, and analytical facilities enable industry to prototype, validate, and scale with academic partners. The university maintains structured pathways for collaboration, including sponsored research, contract services, student placements, and tailored short courses coordinated through central liaison offices. Research draws on competitive European and Italian support, including Horizon Europe, national ministries, and regional innovation programs. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, spin‑outs, and collaboration agreements, and helps companies access shared instrumentation.
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