Joanna Idaszek (WUT) at National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba, Japan

I have worked at National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba for 3 months. During my stay I have characterized cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles to collect data necessary for evaluation of the nano-QSAR model.

In order to deliver data for Work Package 2 „Carrying out experiments to produce necessary (missing) data for NPs” I have worked with two cell line: Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells and mouse macrophages J774.1. I have studied the effect of nanoparticles on cell metabolic activity and proliferation and tried to correlate it with nanoparticles uptake by the cells. Additionally, I took part in characterization of the nanoparticles by means of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Selected Area Diffraction (SAD).

I really enjoyed my stay in Japan. Not only I have learnt new culture and tried other than sushi delicacies of Japanese kitchen,  but also met many warm and friendly people. The working atmosphere at NIES was very nice and stuff-friendly. For example, during lunch breaks we could play tennis and even take part in free tennis courses organized by other NIES-scientists! I could also experience peaceful advent of the New Year in a shrine and New Year breakfast with Japanese family, both quite different than in Europe.