This Research Topic is proposed in collaboration with the 5th edition of the JRC Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science, held in Ispra (Italy), on 19th-23rd May 2025. The evolving research landscape increasingly recognizes the need to innovate beyond traditional methods involving animal experiments. The shift towards non-animal approaches in scientific research and regulatory testing is motivated by ethical considerations, societal concerns, and scientific needs. Recent advancements in animal-free methods address the limitations of traditional animal models while leveraging innovative technologies. This presents multiple opportunities to improve the relevance, accuracy and efficiency of biomedical research, drug development and regulatory (eco) toxicology.

This research topic aims to explore the transformative potential of novel non-animal approaches, examining their role in redefining research paradigms across various scientific domains.

The EU Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM) of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is at the forefront of this paradigm shift. Through the JRC Summer School on Non-Animal Approaches in Science, post-graduate students and early-career scientists get the opportunity to engage with invited and in-house experts across several scientific fields, gain insights on pioneering technologies, and share knowledge and experience with peers globally.

This research topic will focus on highlighting contributions of the JRC Summer School students on the development and use of the latest non-animal approaches. The themes covered, but not limited to, will be:

o Exploring Ethical and Practical Implications: Examining how developing and using non animal approaches and animal-free products —such as serum-free cell culture, synthetic matrices, and recombinant antibodies—address ethical concerns while advancing scientific innovation and improving research outcomes.

o Evaluating Cutting-Edge Technologies in biomedical research, toxicological studies and chemical assessments - A deep dive into innovative technologies such as:

- In vitro cellular models, including cell lines, primary cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Investigating their applications in disease modelling, drug discovery and toxicity testing.

- Organ-on-Chip and Microphysiological Systems: Understanding their role in mimicking human organ functions for drug testing and disease research.

- Computational Modeling and Artificial Intelligence: Exploring their use in several areas, ranging from predictive analytics and data-driven insights for chemical safety and sustainable innovations, to their application in medical imaging and the modelling of human physiology, disease and treatments.

o Protecting human health and the environmental: Applying non-animal methods and novel testing strategies in chemical safety assessments, aiming to achieve an improved protection of human health and the environment.

Contributions not authored by JRC Summer School participants may be considered for publication in other relevant collections of Frontiers in Toxicology or at a sectional level.

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Innovative Non-Animal Approaches: Changing the Paradigm in Biomedical Research and Regulatory Testing