Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO

The Research Group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMOs conducts risk assessments to national and international authorities related to the presence of chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and the environment. Furthermore, the group works with improvement of methods and tools for risk assessment and with new genomic techniques (NGTs).

In both advisory work and research, the group focuses on next-generation risk assessment (NGRA)with use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), such as in vitro, in silico and omics-based methods.

The group keeps abreast of best practice through participation in Danish and international fora and engages in research projects that develop improved methods and tools – including in silico models, QSAR, and data- and AI-enabled processes – so that assessments are based on the latest knowledge on the impacts of chemicals on human health. 

Approaches and methods 

Risk assessment

• Authority-facing assessments of health risks of chemicals and GMOs/NGTs.

NGRA & cumulative risk

• Implementation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in practice
• Cumulative risk assessments using Common Assessment Groups (CAGs), MCRA and Hazard Index.
• Human variability and uncertainty (e.g. EFSA TD-TRAQ: quantitative AOPs, data-driven uncertainty factors).
• Contributions to test guidelines: e.g. revision of OECD TG 489 (Comet assay, incl. protocol for testicular germ cells).

Data/AI & QSAR

• AI-supported data mapping and sampling tools; use of large language models for FoodEx2 coding.
• Danish (Q)SAR Database & Models (>650,000 substances; >70 models) and DanishQSAR software.
• Recent and current partnerships: ATHENA, FREIA, Life CONCERT-REACH, PARC WP5.2; PFAS work within the Danish PFAS Research Center.

Collaborations and impact 

The group provides high-quality, science-based advice to national and international regulatory authorities including, for example, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration Danish EPA, European Chemicals Agency (EFSA) and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), across areas related to human health, chemical risk assessment for foods and consumer products, as well as risk assessments of GMOs and advice on NGTs. Group members participate in various national and international expert groups convened by, among others, the European Commission,  OECD and the Danish Working Environment Authority.