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Graduate Course on Speciation and Bioavailability
The third edition of the postdoctoral course on Speciation and Bioavailability is scheduled for 23-27 February 2004. Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows who are entering the field or want to deepen their knowledge of the subject are invited to apply for participation. Candidates from all European (and other) countries are welcome. This year’s venue is Geneva,Switzerland, at the edge of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Jura and Alps mountain ranges. The course will be held at the University of Geneva, Sciences II.
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Date:
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23.02.2004 - 27.02.2004 |
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National/International:
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International |
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Language:
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English |
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Type:
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Training course |
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Location:
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University of Geneva, Sciences II. , Switzerland |
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Contact:
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For information or pre-registration, contact the course director, Dr. Herman P. van Leeuwen (herman.vanleeuwen@wur.nl) or Dr. Kevin J. Wilkinson at (Kevin.Wilkinson@cabe.unige.ch) with your email address. |
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Conference web site at:
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http:⁄⁄www.unige.ch⁄cabe⁄speciation⁄
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The program will focus on the analytical and physical chemistry of metal ions in complexing environments and the ensuing bioavailabilities of the various species. Some attention will also be given to the speciation and bioavailability of organic compounds. Modern analytical speciation techniques such as DGT/DET, PLM, Donnan techniques, voltammetries, ligand exchange methods, etc. will be discussed in methodological detail. The theoretical background of metal ion binding by simple ligands, macromolecular complexing agents and particles will receive ample attention. Known equilibrium speciation codes will be tested in interactive exercises. Dynamic features of complex systems and their ensuing lability characteristics will be discussed on the basis of the reaction kinetics and molecular transport. The molecular mechanisms for biouptake processes as well as resulting uptake rate equations will be evaluated with an emphasis on the underlying physicochemical principles. Several case studies examining metal uptake by animals and plants are included. The program is concluded by a session in which participants discuss some of their own research topics within the framework of subjects presented in the course.
The various sessions are led by a small international team of lecturers. As much as possible, the lectures will be of an interactive nature. In exceptional cases, some limited financial support is available for students.
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