The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science ) hosted the first international summer scientific camp BioTox in July. It focused on expanding knowledge in the field of toxicology and biology. Young scientists and PhD. students gain new knowledge in the fields of molecular biology, toxicology, and ecotoxicology during the week-long adventure. "One of the current problems is the occurrence of endocrine disruptors in our environment." The latest knowledge was shared in his lecture by Professor Buha-Dordević from Serbia, who drew attention to many related issues related to the effects of these substances. For example, these include the development of obesity, the onset of inflammatory reactions in the human body, as well as problems with male reproduction. Young scientists within BioTox Summer Camp also gained the latest knowledge about the risks associated with heavy metals in the environment, especially very serious problems related to the impact on animal systems presented by prof. Massanyi. At the same time, participants learn about GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) in the laboratories of the Institute of Applied Biology, where they work on scientific research tasks. "The participants of the event learned how to work with CASA, which evaluates various morphological or movement parameters of rabbit sperm, horses, humans, and other animal species. The summer camp also provided a unique space to work in sterile conditions in in vitro laboratories and manipulate cell models from humans and animals. These cellular systems are used in modern scientific research, both from the point of view of the exact identification of toxic risks of environmental contaminants, as well as for the needs of affecting physiological reactions related to the development of inflammatory diseases, subfertility, or the development of cancer diseases. The last practical training was focused on blood and its biochemical analysis. This area belongs to the basic laboratory procedure, which can find wide application not only in basic research but especially in veterinary or medical practice. “I see the BioTox Summer Camp not only as an opportunity to establish mutual cooperation in the European space, but also to help doctoral students and young scientists develop great professional and friendly relations between universities and participants,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Norbert Lukáč, who at the end presented the young scientists with a certificate of successful completion of BioTox.
The BioTox Summer Science Camp was also created thanks to the support of the existing network of the Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS) SK – 1913-02-2526 – BioTox, which is coordinated by the Institute of Applied Biology of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, SUA in Nitra.