GIUV2026-016

The TOXI-BEAM Research Group is a multidisciplinary toxicology research team that integrates innovative approaches to assess and mitigate the risks associated with food and pharmaceutical contaminants. Our research focuses on the development and application of exposure and effect biomarkers, advanced toxicological assessment strategies, and alternative methods that allow for a more accurate and ethical characterization of toxicological risk.

https://www.uv.es/uvweb/farmacia/ca/facultat-farmacia-ciencies-alimentacio-1285849056598.html

• 6. Desarrollar estrategias y herramientas para la prevención, gestión y minimización de riesgos asociados a agentes químicos y contaminantes emergentes.
• 8. Impulsar la transferencia de conocimiento y la innovación en toxicología aplicada mediante la colaboración con instituciones académicas, organismos reguladores y sectores productivos.
• 2. Desarrollar y validar métodos alternativos innovadores que mejoren la evaluación toxicológica y contribuyan a la reducción del uso de animales de experimentación y sus mezclas.
• 3. Diseñar y aplicar modelos in vitro avanzados con alta capacidad predictiva para el estudio de la toxicidad y la evaluación del riesgo.
• 4. Identificar, caracterizar y validar biomarcadores de exposición, efecto y susceptibilidad para la detección temprana y el seguimiento de procesos toxicológicos.
• 1. Generar conocimiento científico sobre los mecanismos de toxicidad y los efectos biológicos asociados a la exposición a contaminantes químicos, alimentarios y farmacológicos.
• 5. Proporcionar asesoramiento científico-técnico especializado en toxicología, seguridad química y evaluación del riesgo para apoyar la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia científica para contaminantes y fármacos.
• 7. Diseñar, desarrollar y caracterizar sistemas nanoportadores que optimicen la biodisponibilidad, eficacia y seguridad de sustancias con aplicaciones biomédicas y toxicológicas.

• Innovation and sustainability in processes and conservation..This line investigates innovative technologies and sustainable strategies for the transformation, processing and preservation of food and pharmaceutical products, with the aim of minimizing the formation of contaminants, reducing waste and improving toxicological safety throughout the entire production chain.
• Food Safety and Risk Assessment.This research area develops advanced scientific strategies to assess, manage, and communicate the risks associated with chemical and biological contaminants in the food chain and emerging contaminants. It integrates experimental, computational, and epidemiological approaches to protect public health and support regulatory and business decision-making based on robust scientific evidence. Among that this line includes a comprehensive evaluation of the persistence, bioaccumulation, and chronic exposure to chemical contaminants present in food, including both classic and emerging contaminants. Their toxicological effects on human health are analyzed, considering not only individual exposure to each substance but also the interaction of complex mixtures, in which potentiation, synergy, or additive effects may occur. The research approach integrates advanced analytical methodologies, in vitro models, and biomarkers of exposure and effect, with the aim of improving the understanding of toxicity mechanisms, supporting food risk assessment, and contributing to the development of preventive strategies that guarantee food safety and the protection of public health. This line of research directly contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting safe food, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by protecting human health from chemical exposures, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting safer and more sustainable food systems.
• Innovation of nanocarrier systems for the delivery of substances.This research line focuses on the development of advanced delivery systems, centered on the design, optimization, and toxicological characterization of advanced nanocarrier systems (micro- and nanoparticles) intended to improve the efficacy and safety of compounds with protective activity, such as antioxidants and chelating agents. It addresses targeted delivery strategies to optimize bioavailability in target organs and reduce systemic toxicity, as well as the evaluation of the chronic toxicity of new formulations using predictive models and alternative methodologies, thus promoting more efficient and safer therapeutic action. Furthermore, this line incorporates the evaluation of the chronic toxicity of these new pharmaceutical formulations using predictive models and alternative methodologies, with the aim of analyzing their long-term effects, contributing to a more robust risk assessment, and supporting the development of innovative solutions in the field of applied toxicology and nanomedicine, in line with SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Development and Validation of Biomarkers..This line of research focuses on identifying molecules and cell types that allow for the early detection of exposure to contaminants, even before the onset of adverse clinical effects. It centers on the development of integrated biomarker panels, combining biochemical parameters from genes, proteins, and metabolites (omics) to improve the sensitivity and specificity of toxicological assessment. Furthermore, correlations are established between markers obtained through in vitro models to predict toxicological effects and support a more precise and translational risk assessment. This research contributes to the protection of health and the development of more sustainable assessment systems, in line with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Implementing Alternative Methods..This line of research focuses on the development and application of advanced in vitro models, such as cell cultures (3D cultures, organoids, and microfluidic systems (organs-on-a-chip)), invertebrates, ecotoxicological models which allow for a more realistic reproduction of the structural and functional complexity of tissues and organs from humans and animals. This line integrates computational methods, including in silico approaches such as QSAR and molecular docking, with in vitro assays, with the aim of reducing the use of laboratory animals and improving the predictive capacity of toxicological assessment. It also promotes the development of automated systems that facilitate the simultaneous evaluation of multiple toxicological parameters, increasing the efficiency and reproducibility of assays. This research contributes to a more ethical and sustainable toxicology, in line with SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Prev. Medicine, Public Health, Food Sc.,Toxic. and For. Med.

• IN SILICO
• QSAR
• Autenticidad-Contaminantes-Análisis-Profiling-Foodomics-Calidad alimentaria-Seguridad alimentaria-Estimación de las ingestas-Evaluación del riesgo
• TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES
• CELL CULTURES
• RISK ASSESSMENT
• FOOD SAFETY
• LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
• GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
• FOOD
• TOXICOLOGY
• MICROPARTICLES
• THERAPEUTIC DELIVERY SYSTEMS
• TRANSPORT IN NANOSTRUCTURES
• POLLUTANT ANALYSES
• NANOPARTICLES
• CONTROLLED DRUG RELEASE
• CONTAMINANT
• OXIDATION
• FUNCTIONALISED NANOPARTICLES
• FOOD
• MEDICINES
• OXIDATIVE STRESS
• VALIDITY
• MASS SPECTROMETRY
• MYCOTOXINS
• ZEBRAFISH
• TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY
• BIOMARKERS
• CIRCULAR ECONOMY
• WASTE
• VALORIZATION
• VALUES
• MESOPORE
• DESIGN
• DRUG
• MODELING
• NANOSTRUCTURED SOLIDS
• CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
• CARDIOMETABOLIC ALTERATIONS
• KIDNEY DISORDERS
• HYPERTENSION
• PESTICIDES
• CYTOTOXICITY AND GENOTOXICITY
• MUTAGENICITY
• CONVENIENCE
• SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION
• BIOFLUIDS
• COMPOSTING
• GC-MS/MS
• LC-MS/MS
• NEW FOODS
• Q-TOF-MS