MethodsX is a peer reviewed, open access journal which provides scientists the opportunity to publish small but important customizations to existing methodologies from different research areas. In this journal you can publish all technical details concerning the method(s) you are using, without elaborating on general background information. By allowing scientists to share these small practical updates via a fast publication process, it increases the visibility of their work and provides other scientists, working in the same field, useful information which can help to accelerate resolving their research questions. It is hence a great tool to stimulate knowledge sharing.

In this latest Special Issue the RE-Place team was invited to put NAMs in the field of toxicology in the spotlight. Dr. Birgit Mertens and Prof. Vera Rogiers selected nine research methodologies from various research organisations in Belgium from the RE-Place database that demonstrate great potential for future applications.

Different research areas are tackled in this Special Issue: drug-induced liver diseases, eye irritation, 3D cardiospheres, inhalation toxicity and many more. The selected methodologies are based on the use of human or animal cells and tissues, but also on lower organisms such as the zebrafish embryo and bacteria. The description of the following methodologies can be found in the Special Issue as well as in the RE-Place database:

• Comprehensive histone epigenetics: A mass spectrometry-based screening assay to measure epigenetic toxicity - Maarten Dhaenens (Ghent University)
• Liquid marble technology to create cost-effective 3D cardiospheres as a platform for in vitro drug testing and disease modelling - Jolanda van Hengel (Ghent University)
• Flow cytometric quantification of neutral lipids in a human skin stem cell-derived model of NASH - Joost Boeckmans (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
• In vitro 50 Hz magnetic field long-term exposure: Cytogenetic tests on human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells and validation of the test environment - Ha Nguyen (Université Libre de Bruxelles and Sciensano)
• Drug-induced cholestasis assay in primary hepatocytes - Pieter Annaert (KU Leuven)
• Laser Light-Based Opacitometer ‘Peira LLBO 180’: A new and validated opacitometer for use in the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) eye irritation test method - An Van Rompay (VITO)
• Refinement of the zebrafish embryo developmental toxicity assay - Steven Van Cruchten (University of Antwerp)
• Alternative air–liquid interface method for inhalation toxicity testing of a petroleum-derived substance - Sandra Verstraelen (VITO)
• High-throughput quantification of ochronotic pigment formation in Escherichia coli to evaluate the potency of human 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitors - Jessie Neuckermans (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

The Special Issue is also accompanied by a Guest Editorial on the goal and motivation of the RE-Place project. You can read the full Special Issue here and the Editorial here.  More information on how to publish via MethodsX can he found here.