Extrapolating the future: research trends in modeling.

The proceedings in this volume suggest several important future research needs. Research is needed to validate modeling in toxicology in order to support the use of the general approach of modeling, either for structure-activity relationships (SAR) or physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK), by regulators. Research is needed to demonstrate how SAR predictions can be integrated with the PBPK models to reduce the chemical-specific, intensive data requirements of PBPK models. Methods are needed to harmonize modeling approaches and to educate potential users. New approaches to modeling are needed which go beyond present day assumptions of flow-limited models into dynamic models of human health effects. The academic community can further these objectives by including applied mathematics of toxicology, including both SAR and PBPK modeling, in toxicology curricula.