Dolmen Design & Innovation is supporting the TOXBOX project in the development of a ground-breaking toxicology testing device that promises to reshape how chemical safety is assessed across industries. This collaboration merges Dolmen’s award-winning design expertise with the TOXBOX consortium’s scientific leadership to deliver a modular testing platform that is both technically advanced and user centric.
The Dolmen team has developed the initial concept design for the future TOXBOX device, applying their Dolmen design process and collaborative ethos to ensure the solution is not only innovative but deeply aligend with user needs. Through extensive Voice of the Customer interviews with scientists, toxicologists, and lab technicians, they identified key touchpoints and usability gaps in current systems – insights that now shape the architecture of the new platform.
Design that Powers Science
Dolmen’s contribution centers on:
- Design Thinking & UX Strategy: Creating intuitive user experience across digital interfaces and physical interactions.
- Graphical User Interface Development: From Figma prototypes to firmware integration, they are crafting a seamless digital journey.
- Collaborative Engineering: Working closely with scientific partners to capture functional and technical requirements for advanced tissue modeling.
A Safer, Smarter Future
The TOXBOX device is designed to host plug-and-play microfluidic modules that simulate skin, lung, and liver exposure using immunecompetent tissue models. It integrates automated electrochemical sensors, cytokine/biomarker detection, and microscopy for deep toxicological insights, without the need for animal testing. Instead, zebrafish embryo-based systems, which share 70% genetic similarity with humans, offer a more ethical and scalable alternative.
Project Objectives Include:
- Development of modular architecture for human and environmental safety testing
- Data bridging across in vitro models to enhance in silico predictions
- Full life cycle assessment (LCA) validation across production and degradation phases
- Contribution to regulatory standards and international policy
- Promotion of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles
This collaboration exemplifies Dolmen’s commitment to making ideas work. By blending scientific rigor with practical design, they are helping transform complex technologies into accessible, impactful solutions.
Future Activities
The 48-month project will run until December 2027. A number of design developments are targeted over the coming phase of the project:
- Continue enhancement of the TOXBOX device design in collaboration with key technology partners and automation partner DCU.
- Improve the design with user feedback in terms of usability and Design for Manufacture (DFM) to further evolve the unit design.
- Development of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the device to improve the experience for the end user.
The next phase will see Dolmen Design & Innovation partnering with DCU to progress the internal and external development of the prototype. This will focus on building a device that meets usability standards, aesthetic goals, and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles. Simultaneously, the User Interface (UI) will undergo further refinement to ensure a seamless and intuitive experience.