Center for Contemporary Sciences

The Center for Contemporary Sciences (CCS) is an independent nonprofit, helping to eliminate ineffectual animal experimentation by advancing the most sophisticated human-specific research and testing methods.

We advocate for industry, governmental, academic, private and charitable investments and funding in the most productive solutions-focused research. * An example technology that CCS views as an innovative tool is human Organs-on-Chips, which are microfluidic cell culture devices with channels lined by living human organ-specific cells that interface with a human endothelial cell-lined artificial vasculature. Combined with mechanical forces that mimic the physical microenvironment of living organs, this technology can recapitulate the microarchitecture and functions of living human organs. Human Organs-on-Chips could be used for disease modeling and drug testing. Image courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University.

Medical research and testing methods need to start and end with human biology.

Human biology-based methods offer a more effective way to understand the diseases that afflict us. And they enable researchers to predict how a human may respond to medicines and chemicals with far greater accuracy than animal tests. The outcome is better treatments, therapies and cures.

How is CCS advancing human health?

We will further scientific discovery by bringing together trailblazing researchers and funders.
We will foster new generations of scientists creating market-disrupting technologies by supporting inventive academic programs.
We will build collaboration across different disciplines through the spirit of innovation.
We will effect change by working with scientists in industry, government, and academia to replace animals with groundbreaking human-relevant testing methods.

Organ on a Chip

Credit:Wyss Institute.

Our areas of focus:

Educating grant-making, corporate, governmental and academic institutions
Supporting innovative biotech companies
Connecting entrepreneurs and investors
Improving adoption of more effective human-based technologies
Increasing the pipeline of PhD, MBA, and JD students to new testing technologies

OUR TEAM

Welcome

We believe that empathy, respect, humility, and optimism push us all forward. We empower each other to hone our respective skills and to do great work in advancing human health. Most of all, we are nerds and dreamers who believe in the awesome possibilities of science.

“I’m excited about the concept of a Center for Contemporary Sciences that can serve as a catalyst to accelerate translation and adoption of promising new test methods by industry, researchers, and government.”
– Pamela Spencer, Sr. Director Regulatory & Product Stewardship, Angus Chemical Company
“I’ve been involved with many initiatives and organizations seeking to change animal-based approaches to research and toxicity testing, but Center for Contemporary Sciences is promoting an entirely new concept that I think could be the most impactful to date.”
– Warren Casey, PhD, DABT, Chief, Biomolecular Screening Branch. Executive Director, ICCVAM. Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
“With the advent of ever more sophisticated human relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in pre-clinical therapeutic evaluation of efficacy and delivery, it is timely that an initiative such as the Center for Contemporary Sciences should reach out to researchers and regulators in advancing this important field. ”
– Professor Geoffrey J. Pilkington, BSc, PhD, FIScT, FRSB, FRCPath, Emeritus Professor of Cellular and Molecular Neuro-oncology, Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Portsmouth
“The Center for Contemporary Sciences’ plan to bring together scientists, policy makers, investors, and entrepreneurs will support the transformation of biomedical sciences to develop technologies that are better for humans, and that replace animal testing.”
– Dr. Malcolm Wilkinson, MD of Technology for Industry, UK; current Director and former CEO of Kirkstall Ltd.; Fellow of the Institute of Nanotechnology

CONTACT

We want to hear from you.

General inquiries

9841 Washingtonian Blvd, Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
contact@contemporarysciences.org

Media inquiries

Members of the media, please contact:
media@contemporarysciences.org

3D Illustration of Interconnected Neurons

Photographer & Illustator: ktsdesign

Saving and improving lives by catalyzing the world’s transition to human-specific medical research.

Medical research and testing methods need to start and end with human biology.

Human biology-based methods offer a more effective way to understand the diseases that afflict us. And they enable researchers to predict how a human may respond to medicines and chemicals with far greater accuracy than animal tests. The outcome is better treatments, therapies and cures.

ABOUT US

CCS is pioneering a paradigm shift towards innovative, evidence-based research methods that are based on human biology. Through collaboration, we champion technologies that are better for humans and that replace animal testing.

How is CCS advancing human health?

Our areas of focus:

Educating grant-making, corporate, governmental and academic institutions

Supporting innovative biotech companies

Connecting entrepreneurs and investors

Improving adoption of more effective human-based technologies

Increasing the pipeline of PhD, MBA, and JD students to new testing technologies

OUR TEAM

Welcome

We believe that empathy, respect, humility, and optimism push us all forward. We empower each other to hone our respective skills and to do great work in advancing human health. Most of all, we are nerds and dreamers who believe in the awesome possibilities of science.

Board of Directors

Advisory Council

“I’m excited about the concept of a Center for Contemporary Sciences that can serve as a catalyst to accelerate translation and adoption of promising new test methods by industry, researchers, and government.”

“I’ve been involved with many initiatives and organizations seeking to change animal-based approaches to research and toxicity testing, but Center for Contemporary Sciences is promoting an entirely new concept that I think could be the most impactful to date.”

“The Center for Contemporary Sciences’ plan to bring together scientists, policy makers, investors, and entrepreneurs will support the transformation of biomedical sciences to develop technologies that are better for humans, and that replace animal testing.”

CONTACT

We want to hear from you.

General inquiries

Media inquiries

Scientists, innovators, educators & policymakers

Corporate & other philanthropic donors

DONATE

Be a catalyst for improved human health through innovative research methods.

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