The Institute for In Vitro Sciences is unique in its position as a non-profit educational and laboratory resource which possess many years of practical experience in the application of in vitro testing methods. Members of its technical team have over "forty-person" years experience in in vitro assay validation studies conducted worldwide, as well as extensive experience in serving the testing needs of diverse industrial clients. Our familiarity with an array of different assay systems and product lines gives us the knowledge and expertise to determine the optimum assay for specific test materials and applications. We are experienced in performing in vitro procedures in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). These include tests for: ocular and dermal irritation, phototoxicity, skin corrosivity, biological activity studies, USP cytotoxicity for medical devices, as well as custom bioassay development. Additionally, our laboratory provides: characterization of in vitro models, assay optimization, prevalidation and validation studies.

Assays currently available include:

• OCULAR IRRITATION ASSAYS - Ocular irritation is of great concern throughout industry, either from accidental or controlled exposures to chemicals and products. Various in vitro assays have demonstrated their value as mechanistic, predictive models for eye irritation, or to estimate mildness of formulations and ingredients. IIVS provides the following in vitro ocular irritation assays.
• SKIN IRRITATION - In vitro dermatological assays offer a safe, economical alternative to human as well as animal assays for the screening of raw materials and final formulations. IIVS offers several assays for skin irritation. Tissue constructs and cell cultures are available for studying the effects of diverse chemicals and formulations. Testing may be conducted for: irritancy, corrosivity, collagen synthesis, viral studies, anti-inflammatory assays, cytotoxicity, and other specifically designed bioassays.
• DERMAL CORROSIVITY
• SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIONS