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Predictive models in ecotoxicology: Bridging the gap between scientific progress and regulatory applicability—Remarks and research needs
Author(s) -
Vighi Marco,
Barsi Alpar,
Focks Andreas,
Grisoni Francesca
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
integrated environmental assessment and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1551-3793
pISSN - 1551-3777
DOI - 10.1002/ieam.4136
Subject(s) - interpretability , quantitative structure–activity relationship , computer science , management science , risk analysis (engineering) , biochemical engineering , engineering , machine learning , business
ABSTRACT This paper concludes a special series of 7 articles (4 on toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic [TK–TD] models and 3 on quantitative structure‐activity relationship [QSAR] models) published in previous issues of Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). The present paper summarizes the special series articles and highlights their contribution to the topic of increasing the regulatory applicability of effect models. For both TK–TD and QSAR approaches, we then describe the main research needs. The use of TK–TD models for describing sublethal effects must be better developed, particularly through the improvement of the dynamic energy budget (DEBtox) approach. The potential of TK–TD models for moving from lower (molecular) to higher (population) hierarchical levels is highlighted as a promising research line. Some relevant issues to improve the acceptance of QSAR models at the regulatory level are also described, such as increased transparency of the performance assessment and of the modeling algorithms, model documentation, relevance of the chosen target for regulatory needs, and improved mechanistic interpretability. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:000–000. © 2019 SETAC