Young scientists from eight countries trained in oncology research techniques at BMC SAS
From 18 to 20 May 2026, the Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (BMC SAS) organised a training school, In Vitro and In Vivo Models for Functional Genomics, as part of the international project TRANSPAN - Identification of Biological Markers for Prevention and Translational Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer (CA21116). The event was attended by 18 young researchers in doctoral and postdoctoral studies from several European universities and research institutes in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Greece, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Austria and Germany.
“The training school aimed to introduce participants to selected experimental models and methodological approaches in oncology and translational research. Given the limited time available, we designed the programme primarily as a practical demonstration and hands-on training in individual methodologies,” explains Božena Smolková, who oversees the project at BMC SAS and leads the Epigenetics of Cancer Diseases Research Group.
The first part of the programme focused on in vivo approaches. BMC SAS introduced participants to basic procedures for working with animal models. The practical training included techniques such as suturing, tail vein administration of substances, blood collection and tumour tissue sampling.
The next part of the programme focused on processing tumour and tissue material. Participants were introduced to procedures for tumour analysis, tissue dissociation and the preparation of organoid cultures. The training school also included demonstrations of organotypic tissue slice culture models and the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, highlighting their potential applications in angiogenesis research.
The final part of the training focused on histochemical analysis. Participants practised, or had the opportunity to observe, individual stages of tissue processing, including embedding, sectioning, staining and the basic evaluation of tissue samples.
The methodologies presented demonstrated the broad possibilities of using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models in the study of tumour biology, functional gene characterisation, work with patient-derived material and the planning of preclinical experiments. Particular emphasis was placed on understanding the principles underlying the different approaches, mastering their practical application, and exploring their potential in functional genomics and translational oncology research.
In an anonymous evaluation survey, participants highly appreciated the excellent organisation of the event, the practical focus of the training, and the variety and number of techniques they had the opportunity to learn.
Prepared by: Božena Smolková and Ela Rybárová, BMC SAS
Photo: BMC SAS