Course content

The course is offered every second year in the autumn semester, next time in autumn 2024. In this intensive, one-week course we will provide an advanced understanding of the Advanced Outcome Pathways (AOP) framework emerging in the field of environmental toxicology and chemistry. The AOP framework is a powerful conceptual tool to organize and integrate information on the action of a chemicals on different levels of biological organization. It thereby links interactions of chemicals on a molecular level (molecular initiating event) through a series of key events on tissue and organ level to adverse outcomes in individuals or populations. We will discuss the basic principles of the AOP concept, learn about its applications and critically reflect on advantages and shortcomings using several case studies. Working in groups, we will analyze existing AOPs and the scientific knowledge used to build them. Equipped with such deeper understanding, participants will work jointly on how to embed their PhD research in existing AOPs or construct new AOPs. This will enable the participants to place their own work into a larger toxicological perspective, identify critical knowledge gaps and built better hypotheses.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• advanced understanding of the theoretical principles of the AOP framework
• advanced understanding of the components of an AOP (molecular initiating events, key events, adverse outcome) based on existing case studies
• embed the own PhD project in an AOP thinking

Skills

• use the AOPWiki and other relevant online platforms
• critically assess existing AOP and generating new AOP
• critically reflect and discuss scientific publications

General competence

• search, read and understand the relevant literature
• present and discuss own analyses

Learning methods and activities

Preparation for the course (reading materials, pre-meeting): 40 h

Lectures: 10 hours

Seminar and group work: 30 hours, mandatory

Compulsory assignments

• Semesterdeltagelse

Recommended previous knowledge

Competence in Environmental toxicology and or environmental chemistry on a MSc level.

Required previous knowledge

Competence in Environmental toxicology and or environmental chemistry on a MSc level.

Course materials

Original scientific papers, book chapters, seminars and lectures. All participants must read the syllabus before the start of the course.

Credit reductions