What we do
Our scientists know that a robust risk assessment relies upon quality data. We are experienced searchers of the major toxicity databases, databanks and internet. In addition, our in-house database, TRACE, gives us valuable access to Expert Group and primary reports that are not reliably identified via searches the usual range of data sources. All of the documents on TRACE have been selected and indexed by our expert toxicologists, ensuring chemical-specific, reliable and highly efficient retrieval of relevant information. This unique combination is a key part of nearly every project we work on, and the details of our search methods are described in resulting reports with a high degree of transparency.
Search terms
We have years of experience in selecting and using search terms likely to be relevant to a client’s areas of interest, potentially saving a great deal of time that would otherwise be spent trawling through irrelevant hits. Searches of TRACE, in particular, can be focused with just a few clicks, providing a much more relevant output than comparable external databases.
Read-across
Data-poor target compounds may have data-rich structural analogues or metabolites/ precursors. With a robust read-across approach based on surrogate data, the use of Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC)-based risk assessments or laboratory testing on the target compound can be avoided. Our extensive expertise in this area allows us to assess and justify the relevance of read-across compounds in providing toxicological insights. We routinely run parallel literature searches on target and read-across compounds and provide a comprehensive data matrix containing the resultant bibliographic details.
Sources/strategies
When it comes to searching for toxicity data, we are ideally placed to help. For decades, we have performed searches of a tried-and-tested series of external databases (including some subscription-only packages) using searching strategies tailored to a sector. Our literature-searching skills (along with our extensive evaluation expertise) are invaluable in conducting full reviews for any chemical substance.
SDIs
In addition to performing literature searches for use in health risk assessments, we offer a “current awareness”, Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) service. We carry out regular searches, of an agreed range of data sources, for new toxicity data on substances of commercial or research importance to specific clients, at requested intervals. This ensures that companies are always up to date on their key substances.
Some of our case studies in this area
Making sense of skin sensitisation
Blog articles
From cosmetics to cleaning products, skin allergy (sensitisation) is a prominent feature of our modern chemical-centric world. Put simply, this hazard is an abnormal reaction of the immune system which makes certain individuals overly sensitive to particular chemicals. Read more in our blog, to help you make sense of sensitisation.
Knowledge is key. Part 2: The bibra TRACE database (and supporting databank)
Blog articles
In Part 1, Peter Watts gave a potted history of his personal early experience in literature searching and toxicity data identification. Along with our colleagues of the same 'fine vintage', he weathered the storms of change, progressing from a time of back-strain (from carrying huge texts around) and index finger wear (turning pages) to dial-up and then to web-based searching. With your indulgence, Pete would now like to expand a little regarding TRACE and its value to clients and the bibra toxicologists.
Knowledge is key. Part 1: Toxicity literature searching, a personal history
Blog articles
Our Toxicology Director, Peter Watts, has written a very interesting article focussing on toxicity literature searching, from his own perspective (having been at bibra for 40+ years)
