Scientific interest and research

Assessment of the impact of natural and synthetic compounds on the cell status, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis/necrosis, oxidative stress indices, proliferation, cytoskeletal changes. Assessment of the impact of xenobiotics on cell immune functions. Genotoxicity assessment. Application of biotests in the assessment of environmental pollution.

 

Skills and methods

Primary cells and stable cell lines culturing. Slide preparation and staining, including fluorescent techniques. Apoptosis/necrosis detection. Comet assay, Ames assay (microplate version), umuC assay, cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, 8-oxoguanine detection. ROS production detection with fluorescent and spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity assessment with spectrophotometric, luminometric and fluorometric techniques. Usage of biotests based on bacteria, algae, plant and invertebrate responses in identification of environmental hazards.