During my second research training we continued our research concerning the study of the gene expression following  exposure  of  daphnids  with  the sodium dichromate-BaP mixture. This examination is part of a larger project which major task is development of Daphnia magna as a model for monitoring of toxic environmental agents effects. By using Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) we wanted to validate data attained by implementing microarray, which is the main tool for global gene expression profiling. RT-PCR is currently regarded as the most accurate and reproducible technique, useful for validation of microarrays since the array process is complex, and the results can be affected by each step. The data obtained partially supported the gene expression changes obtained by microarray analyses. Some of the results we got during my first research training were published on the conference "15th International Symposium on Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms", Bordeaux, France, during the May, 2009. Also, all the outcomes concerning the second part of research will be released in paper which is in preparation.  

Apart from pleasure in taking part in such a useful research, I have had a great satisfaction in meeting many polite and approachable members of the laboratory team again. Not only that I enjoyed our working time, but also every single break and tea we drank together. With the laboratory featuring the most sophisticated equipment and very competent specialists around me, once more I left with new theoretical and practical knowledge from the area of transcriptomics. Apart from that, the city of Birmingham and its surroundings justified all the delightful impressions UK made on me during my last visit. Due to the fact Birmingham is the University Centre gathering the students from all the parts of the world, I have had the opportunity to meet many different nations and broaden my horizons by learning about their interesting cultures.

I would like to thank all the members of the laboratory working team for the hospitality and help given during our cooperation. A very special gratitude I owe to  professor James Kevin Chipman as well as to PhD student Huw Jones and Rhiannon David who recently received doctoral degree. I am also greatful for all the useful pieces of advice I got when I encountered the problems as well as the knowldege and experince I received. With respect to the fact that the REP-LECOTOX Project (Contract No. INCO-CT-2006-043559-REP-LECOTOX) has ended, I would like to express my pleasure for taking part in it, as well as to thank my supervisor Radmila Kovacevic and professor Ivana Teodorovic who made this cooperation possible.