AOP Knowledgebase and Tools

Overview

The Adverse Outcome Pathway Knowledge Base (AOP-KB, left part of the diagram) is the primary repository for all AOPs developed either as part of the OECD AOP Development Programme or by the broader scientific community.

The AOP-KB Tools (right part of the diagram) are a collection of web-based resources that are continuously undergoing development and refinement. The AOP-Wiki serves as the primary authoring tool and user interface for submitting AOPs to the AOP-KB.

The AOP-Wiki provides access to the AOP-KB via a web interface that supports browsing and searching for AOPs and their associated information. Additionally, the AOP-Wiki enables users to create snapshots of AOPs in PDF format for offline access. AOPs with potential regulatory relevance can be subjected to peer review and considered for endorsement by various OECD working groups.

AOP contributions to the AOP-KB are sourced from the international AOP community, which includes many research and regulatory organizations, such as government agencies and academic institutions. If you are interested in contributing AOP-related knowledge to the AOP-Wiki, please follow the instructions at "Start a new AOP" and consult the current Developers’ Handbook.

Ownership of the AOP-Wiki software application

The AOP-Wiki application is a community-driven effort, and there is no single defined "owner" of the AOP-Wiki software. Instead, it relies on contributions from various individuals for its development and maintenance. Contributions to the AOP-Wiki development and maintenance do not confer ownership to any contributing party.

Governance of the AOP-Wiki software

Decision-making regarding the AOP-Wiki application is governed by the AOP Knowledgebase Coordination Group (AOP-KB CG). The AOP-KB CG is composed of individuals or representatives of organizations that contribute financially or "in kind" through substantial donations of time and expertise to the development and maintenance of the AOP-Wiki. New members can be accepted at any time with the approval of the current AOP-KB CG, and membership in the AOP-KB CG is renewed annually.

Disclaimer

The content of the AOP-Wiki is created by individual contributors, following the AOP-Wiki entry screens, mostly in free text, with controlled vocabulary provided where specified. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of the partner organizations or AOP-KB CG. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement by any of the partner organizations or AOP-KB CG. On our third parties page, we list software that we have assessed for its usefulness to the AOP stakeholder community.

How to get involved:

• If you want to be part of the community discussing AOP framework issues, consider joining the Society for the Advancement of Adverse Outcome Pathways (SAAOP).
• If you would like to receive regular updates and share information related to the AOP-KB, join our bi-monthly meetings of the SAAOP Knowledgebase Interest Group (SKIG)

Society for the Advancement of Adverse Outcome Pathways (SAAOP)

The mission of SAAOP, founded in 2013 to host the AOP-Wiki, is to facilitate the development of a community of practice around the creation and application of the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework by collaborating with the OECD Emerging Science for Chemical Assessment Advisory Group (ESCA). SAAOP supports AOP developer and user communities through member services, meetings, and mentoring. In 2024, SAAOP affiliated with the American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology (ASCCT) and the European Society for Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV). Individuals wishing to join SAAOP are asked to join either ESTIV, ASCCT, or both, and pay the annual dues for those organizations. When you join, check the box indicating your interest in SAAOP membership as well, and you will automatically be registered as a member of SAAOP.

 

SAAOP Knowledgebase Interest Group (SKIG)

The SKIG meets every six weeks, and during each meeting, volunteer members present various aspects, issues, and topics related to their current, planned, or targeted use of the AOP-KB and Wiki. The latest annual report is available here. If you would like to join the SKIG, please write to SKIG.contact@gmail.com.