Within the framework of the STRIMHealth project, the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” hosted Raquel Duarte, a PhD student from the Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, as part of a Short-Term Scientific Exchange (STSE). The visit was carried out from 29 May to 2 July 2026 under the supervision of Dr. Nataša Veličković, in close collaboration with the host research team.

During his stay at IBISS, the PhD student participated in an intensive training programme focused on experimental animal models of metabolic diseases and the methodologies used for their comprehensive characterization. The programme covered a range of well-established experimental models employed in the investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetes, obesity, ageing-associated metabolic dysfunction, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These included ageing-induced type 2 diabetes models, high-fat diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes models, streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes models, and GAN diet-induced MASLD models.

The training combined theoretical lectures with hands-on laboratory practice. In addition to learning about the design, applications, advantages and limitations of different animal models, the participant gained practical experience in histological, molecular, cellular, metabolic and behavioural methods used for disease characterization.

This STSE visit significantly contributed to strengthening interdisciplinary expertise in metabolic disease research by integrating animal models with advanced biochemical and molecular approaches. Moreover, it fostered knowledge exchange, enhanced research capacity, and further reinforced scientific collaboration between IBISS and iMed.ULisboa, in line with the objectives of the STRIMHealth project.