Winter Conference to Advance New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in Chemosensory Science

About This Grant

Conference Title: WINTER CONFERENCE TO ADVANCE NEW APPROACH METHODOLOGIES (NAMS) IN CHEMOSENSORY SCIENCE Chemosensory and interoception research still relies on animal models, despite the national momentum to reduce, refine, and replace in vivo testing. To accelerate the adoption of non-animal alternatives, we will convene an inaugural four-day conference (Jan 12-17, 2027, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA) that integrates lectures, interactive workshops, and networking sessions focused on in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico NAMs relevant to taste, smell, and interoception. This meeting, to be held annually (2027 to 2031), will bring together ~100 academic investigators, industry scientists, regulators, and trainees, including at least 30 early-career scholars, to create a cross-sector forum for exchanging best practices and catalyzing collaborations. Program elements include: 1. Plenary Sessions highlighting breakthroughs in organoid models (e.g., oral, nasal, gut), high- throughput receptor assays, and AI-enabled chemosensory prediction tools. 2. Hands-on NAM Workshops led by Monell and external experts, covering receptor-based assays and organoid model development, transitional models aimed at reducing animals in research (e.g., ex vivo, in ovo), direct human measures (e.g., behavioral, EEG and fMRI) and machine learning pipelines for data integration and modelling. 3. Regulatory & Ethics Panels featuring scientists on validation standards and pathways for scientific and regulatory acceptance. 4. Trainee Lightning Talks & Mentoring to foster presentation skills and career development. 5. Industry Roundtable with chemosensory scientists, food, fragrance, and biotech companies to identify appropriate NAM uses, translational gaps, and commercialization opportunities. By the conference’s end, participants will: (i) understand the state of the art in NAMs and their potential application for chemosensory and interoception research, (ii) acquire practical skills to incorporate NAMs into grant proposals and product development and testing pipelines, and (iii) contribute to a consensus white paper outlining research priorities, prime applications and validation needs. All slide decks and workshop protocols will be posted on an open-access website; abstracts will also be publicly available. Evaluation surveys will track knowledge gains and subsequent adoption of NAM. This information will be leveraged to invite early NAMs adopters to participate in the Winter Conference in years 2-5. R13 support will offset meeting logistics, trainee travel awards, captioning for accessibility, and post-meeting dissemination, ensuring broad reach and sustained impact across academia, industry, and federal agencies.