Metals in biology: their importance and tools to study them
Metal ions play key roles in biology. More than 40% of all enzymes require metals for their activity, and metals are essential for the structure and function of nucleic acids. Conditions such as anaemia or hemochromatosis show that too much or too little of a single metal leads to disease. Metal-containing compounds provide diagnostic tools such as the gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, or are pollutants such as the arsenic generated by biological leaching. This Advanced Course provides competence in this broad range of disciplines with integrated multi-disciplinary training that combines advanced theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experiments.
Location: Carcavelos and Oeiras, Portugal
Organizers: Ricardo O. Louro