STSM at Swansea University Medical School - Report from Iza Rozman

Within the STSM which took place at Swansea University Medical School from the 15^th of April until the 19^th of April 2024, I took an intensive 4–5-day hands-on-learning visit at the Department of the In Vitro Toxicology Group under the supervision of Professor Shareen Doak.

I learned a lot about the handling of nanomaterials in the field of in vitro toxicology, different kinds of exposure techniques of advanced (3D) in vitro cell models, techniques for studying nanomaterial cell internalization, and was introduced to the approach they use for assessing the nanoparticle toxicity.

I have successfully learned about the safe handling of nanomaterials (especially when it comes to dealing with waste that contains nanomaterials), I have seen different kinds of exposure techniques for both 2D and advanced 3D cell models and gotten to know the method used for nanomaterial cell internalization (TEM).

I have had a chance to see and try two additional methods for preparing spheroids not used at our institute – the Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

What is even more important I have learned the comprehensive approach of nanoparticle toxicity assessment from preparing the suspension of nanoparticles, assessing their characteristic, and performing sonication, to exposing 2D and 3D cell models to nanoparticles using different exposure systems.

I can say with certainty that I have broadened my knowledge about nanomaterial handling, nanosafety, and different approaches in toxicology studies for assessing nanomaterial-based toxicity on 2D and advanced in vitro models. The visit to Swansea University was an extremely pleasant experience and I would not hesitate to do it again.