The aim of the training was to master the new methods applied in ecotoxicology using as a model organism Danio rerio (zebrafish eng.), an organism that is widely used in various fields of scientific research. I was trained to perform toxicity tests on embryos, eng. Danio rerio embryo Toxicity Test (Dart). Dart is an alternative to acute toxicity tests on fish, whose priority is reflected in the lack of ethical barriers to performing the tests because the embryos to 5 days of age are not treated as living organisms. For this reason the test has the potential to become routine in the study of toxicity of substances. Also, I was trained to perform process of dechorionation of Danio rerio embryos, which is used in testing for toxic substances whose action is blocked by chorion. I complement classic Dart test with the analysis of changes in gene expression of certain genes after treatment with toxic substances. For this analysis the technique of Real Time PCR was used. Also, during my stay in the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) I had an opportunity to master the process of microinjection, which is used to input specific substances in unicellular stage embryos. This process enables equal representation of the substances in all cells of the embryo during its development.

I want to thank professor Stefan Scholz and members of his group for the hospitality and support during the training at the UFZ. Also, I would like to thank professor Radmila Kovačević and professor Ivana Teodorović on trust and giving me the opportunities to gain extremely valuable experience during the stay in Leipzig.

Staying in Leipzig was a nice and pleasant experience for me, where I was able to let into the work of a very successful laboratory. This visit was significant in terms of learning about the history and culture of Leipzig and Germany, and in the acquisition of new friends.