720110'In Vitro human skin testing; safety, allergy and contact sensitivity'ClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKThis project proposal builds on the research conducted under a One North East Grant for Research and Development awarded to Alcyomics in May 2010. Alcyomics research in 2010 developed a unique assay (Skimune™) for allergy and contact sensitivity testing with two UK Patents pending (No GB No1020004.6;GB1115537.1). We now need to further validate the assay by comparing our results with current technologies, including an animal model system (LLNA) and to convert our UK patent into an international patent s. We will also aim to further validate the assay as a screening test using inflammatory cytokine measurements and T cell proliferation responses for up to 30 compounds which we will be able to correlate with the skin explant assay and therefore potency. This is a novel aspect to the assay and delivers key information about the safety of the compounds. In addition in collaboration with the NIBSC develop the assay further for use in predicting adverse reactions to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Professor Ian Kimber, expert in skin sensitisation and toxicology, will also act as advisor/consultant to the project.Pilot studies have proved positive and we now require funds to develop and commercialise the assay to market.