The ESTIV Applied Training Course on In Vitro Toxicology took place over six days from 16 to 21 November 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The course was designed to address the increasing demand for professionals trained in non-animal methods for chemical safety assessment, aligned with evolving European legislation. It combined expert-led lectures with practical demonstrations and interactive group exercises based on real-world case studies. Participants explored a broad range of topics, including regulatory frameworks, the validation of alternative methods, cell-based models, omics technologies, and in vitro–in vivo extrapolation. Special sessions featured innovative tools such as 3D printing, stem cell models, organ-specific systems, and advanced microfluidics.

Target audience
This course was particularly suited for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, early-career scientists, and professionals from academia, industry, or regulatory bodies who are new to or actively working in the field of in vitro toxicology.