A new edition of the postdoctoral course on Speciation and Bioavailability is scheduled for 2 – 6 June 2008. PhD students and postdocs who are entering the field or want to deepen their knowledge on the subject are invited to apply for participation. Candidates from all over the world are welcome. The venue of the course is Wageningen / The Netherlands, a small town with an easy-going university atmosphere.
The program will focus on the analytical and physical chemistry of
metal ions in complexing aqueous environments and bioavailabilities of the
different species. Due attention will also be given to the speciation and
bioavailability of organic compounds. Modern analytical speciation techniques
such as DGT, PLM, DMT, stripping voltammetries, ligand exchange methods, SPME,
radiotracer techniques, will be discussed in methodological detail. The theoretical background of metal
ion binding by simple ligands, macromolecular complexing agents and particles
will be a key topic. Known equilibrium speciation codes will be tested in
interactive exercises.
Dynamic features of complex systems, including their lability
characteristics, will be discussed on the basis of the underlying reaction
kinetics and molecular transport. Rates of biomembrane transfer processes will
be evaluated in terms of their physicochemical principles, and illustrated by a
couple of case studies on metal uptake by animals and plants.
The program is concluded by a session in which participants present
their own research topics within the framework of subjects discussed in the
course. The various sessions are led by a small international team of
specialists. As much as possible, the lectures will be of an interactive
nature.
The course fee is € 250 for PhD students and € 400 for postdocs.
Accommodation is available in the international
WICC centre in Wageningen at a
price level of around € 80 per night.
