Grid technology that enables the "decomposition" of computing tasks, will make it possible to predict the degree of toxicity of different chemical compositions. This way it will be possible to reduce the use of animal experiments, which are used for this task today
The Israeli Association for Grid Technologies
Grid technology that enables the "decomposition" of computing tasks, will make it possible to predict the degree of toxicity of different chemical compositions. This way it will be possible to reduce the use of animal experiments, which are used for this task today.
A large-scale partnership in Europe, designed to reduce the use of animal experiments. This is through a computer technology called Grid. The grid technology knows how to "decompose" computing tasks that require a lot of computing power, into small chunks. Using a grid, each chunk is processed separately and thus an aggregate computing power is obtained, which enables complex calculations to be performed.
For this important task, research institutions and commercial companies from all over Europe, including from France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Estonia, joined together. The purpose of the partnership is to create a bank of information obtained from experiments conducted on animals. The information bank will include, among other things, findings and hypotheses regarding the damage caused by toxic chemicals, including those that are in daily use.
The project will allow companies that develop products such as: medicines, cosmetics, insecticides, etc., to have easy access to information as well as predictions about the toxicity of various chemical compounds. This will lead, the researchers hope, to a reduction in the amount of experiments on animals. This is because animal experiments are the accepted way today to test the toxicity of chemical compounds intended for use in products.
The researchers will utilize the grid technology, in order to provide access to computer models that will allow predicting properties of new compounds, which have not been tried before. The hope of the researchers is that the use of these models will gradually replace the use of animals for experiments. The use of the grid is essential, since the use of these models requires enormous computing power, which includes the analysis of huge amounts of information. A task that Grid technologies are able to handle in the best way.
Avner Algum, CEO of the Israeli Association for Grid Technologies (Grid.org.il), explains that the grid technology is used for many studies for the benefit of humanity. In some studies, surfers are asked to donate their computer power via the Internet to the study. A list and description of several leading voluntary projects can be found on the website of the Israeli Association for Grid Technologies: grid.org.il under the category: Join Grid for Research.
