In the frame of the REP-LECOTOX Project (Contract No. INCO-CT-2006-043559-REP-LECOTOX), in the period of 19. October to 18. November I have completed one month training at School of Biosciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK, under the supervision of Dr James Kevin Chipman.

The main goal of my research training was introduction in the process of culturing of Daphnia magna culture and studying the expression of genes using Real-Time PCR after the treatment with Benzo(a)pyrene and Sodium dichromate. First of all expression of genes in these samples is examinated by microarray, which is the main tool for global gene expression profiling of the response of an organism in a particular conditions. However, expression levels of key genes responding in the micoarray need to be validated and the main technique used for validation is Real – Time PCR. This examination is part of a bigger project which major task is development of Daphnia magna as a model for monitoring the effects of toxic agents in the environment.

This laboratory has sophisticated equipment and competent specialist from the area of transcriptomics, which technics are widely used in ecotoxicology and toxicology with the goal of measuring effect of stressors and understanding mechanism of their toxicity. Because of that, involvement in the ongoing research activities of this laboratory, practical work and useful guidance of professor Kevin Chipman and his team, enable me to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge from that area. Also, during my stay in Birmingham I attended few seminars and lectures at the University of Birmingham.

Attainment is of the great importance for my further work and for cooperation between LECOTOX group and group of professor James Kevin Chipman.

I would like to thank all members of the laboratory for the shown hospitality and help during my work and especially professor James Kevin Chipman and PhD student Rhiannon David.

Vanja Dakic

University of Novi Sad

Faculty of Sciences

Department of Biology and Ecology

Laboratory for Ecotoxicology

D.Obradovica Sq. 2

21000 Novi Sad

Phone: + 381 21 485-2675

Fax: + 381 21 450 620