RIFM’s Dermatotoxicology Scientists to Participate in 16th Congress of the European Society of Contract Dermatitis

The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials’ (RIFM) senior scientists for Dermatotoxicology Isabelle Lee, PhD, and Scientist for Dermatotoxicology, Maura Lavelle, MS, will participate in the 16th Congress of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis from Sept. 4 to 7 in Dresden, Germany.

Dr. Lee leads the skin sensitization endpoint at RIFM in conducting safety assessments and research projects, and Lavelle focuses on the skin sensitization and phototoxicity endpoints.

Lavelle will present her poster, “Updates to the RIFM Confirmation of No Induction in Human (CNIH) Test Standard Protocol,” on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 11:20 to 11:50 Central European Summer Time. CNIH tests are only conducted at a level already scientifically determined to be beneath that which may cause sensitization.

“I am excited to share RIFM’s new CNIH protocol with a broader audience,” said Lavelle. “It will be a good opportunity to stress how RIFM’s testing is only done to confirm a No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) and how we have decades of data supporting this.”

Dr. Lee will present the findings of a study conducted in collaboration with SenzaGen and International Flavors & Fragrances to determine potency and point-of-departure using SenzaGen’s GARDskin dose-response assay. The animal-free GARDskin assay can be used to estimate the No Expected Sensitization Induction Level, or NESIL, which must be determined to ensure fragrance ingredients are safe for contact with the skin. Dr. Lee’s presentation is part of the Free Communication 3 (FC3) session on Friday, Sept. 6, from 11:50 am to 1:05 pm Central European Summer Time.

“I look forward to presenting our work on using the GARDskin dose-response assay to derive a point of departure for quantitative risk assessment,” Dr. Lee said. “This animal-free assay provides a good estimate for the NESIL and shows great promise for assessing the quantitative potency of fragrance ingredients.”