The aim of the training was to master new methods that use a model organism Danio rerio (eng. zebrafish). These methods are used in the ecotoxicological and various other researches. I acquired the performance of toxicity tests on embryos - Danio rerio embryo Toxicity Test (Dart). This test represents an alternative to acute toxicity tests on fish, and its advantage is the lack of ethical barriers to performing the tests, because the embryos aged up to 5 days (as used in the research) are not treated as living organisms, and such test has the potential to become routine in the study of toxicity of different substances. Also, I acquired the 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. In addition to these methods, I acquired the method of microinjection, which involves entry of certain substances in the desired one-cell stage embryos to enable their equal representation in all cells of the embryo during its development.

For the exceptional hospitality and support during the work in the laboratory at the UFZ, I want to thank professor Stefan Scholz and members of his group, and also professor Radmila Kovačević and professor Ivana Teodorović on trust and giving me the opportunity to gain extremely valuable experience during my staying in Leipzig.