Biometal research explored

A Boden Research Conference entitled “Metals in Biological Systems” is taking place in Canberra at the Shine Dome, 27 November to 1 December 2010.

The conference, attracting approximately 95 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, brings together researchers from biometals research in Australia. The conference was made possible by the generous support of the late Dr Alex Boden, FAA.

The meeting is being held under the auspices of the Australian Academy of Science and is a joint initiative between the Academy, QIMR, The University of Queensland, The Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

According to conference convener, QIMR’s Professor Greg Anderson, “The expansion of knowledge in the metal biology field is increasing rapidly with Australia being a strong player in the metallo-biology field.”

“There is however, no current forum in Australia for a multidisciplinary discussion. The conference will cover the latest research in a range of key areas including imaging of metals in cells and whole organisms, analytical techniques, metals in infection, metals and neurological disease, regulation of metal homeostasis and metallo cofactor assembly amongst others.”

Themes of the conference include Chemistry and Cell Biology of Metals; Metals, Energy and Environment and Metal and Human Health.

Keynote speakers include Les Dutton, from the University of Pennsylvania; David Richardson, University of East Anglia; Gunter Weiss, University of Innsbruck; and Denis Winge, University of Utah.

The conference is proudly supported by the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.