17-21 May
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro

This one-week post-graduate workshop aims to provide knowledge on the Environmental Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles, their Chemistry and Geochemistry, including aspects related with synthesis and environmental detection. Moreover, emphasis will be put on the implications of environmental conditions to the fate and bioavailability of nanoparticles. The course is addressed to scientists and PhD and M.Sc. students with a background in Biology, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental engineering or related fields, members of consulting companies and of private and public institutions responsible for environmental management.

More info and Registration form at: http://www.cesam.ua.pt/nanotox

21-24 June
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro

This four-day post-graduate workshop aims to provide knowledge on the basic principles of design, assemblage and operation of life support systems for marine organisms. The correct implementation and management of these systems is essential to perform high quality laboratorial experimentation. The course is addressed to scientists and PhD and M.Sc. students with a background in Biology, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Animal Production or related fields, as well as members of private and public institutions responsible for the husbandry of marine organisms. Participants are welcome to expose their needs concerning life support systems for ongoing research studies or future work. There will be a maximum number of 20 participants for the present workshop.

21 June - 2 July
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro

This two-week post-graduate workshop will cover a number of fundamental topics on plant biodiversity:
Part I: Vascular plant identification within the most representative families occurring in the Portuguese flora. For this purpose, besides classical methodologies also pollen morphology and micro-characters will be used and observed using optical and scanning electron microscopy.
Part II: Practical applications based on vascular plant identification: elaboration of floristic lists using databases (BRAHMS), methodologies and legislation for environmental impact assessment and monitoring, strategies for the development of eco-tourism tools (e.g. booklets).
Part III: Field courses in areas with different kinds of vegetation (e.g. mountain and littoral).

28 June - 2 July
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro

This one-week post-graduate workshop aims to provide knowledge on the development of molecular markers of stress using molecular biology techniques. This includes among others the following: RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, basic cloning techniques, PCR reaction development and optimisation, real time PCR, DNA sequencing, and development of microarrays (cDNA arrays), their hybridization and analysis.
The course is addressed to scientists and PhD and M.Sc. students with a background in Biology, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental engineering or related fields, members of consulting companies and of private and public institutions responsible for environmental management. A maximum of 20 students will be admitted.

5-9 July
Department of Biology, University of Aveiro

This one-week post-graduate workshop will cover a number of fundamental topics on the (fundamental and molecular) ecology of plant-microbe interactions. To begin with, we will discuss some important aspects of plant-microbe interactions, e.g., how microbes influence the provision of a number of essential ecosystem services. In addition to this, we will also perform molecular analyses of complex microbial communities using classic and state of the art technologies. This will include sampling design and processing, DNA/RNA extraction, Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), bacterial activity estimates, bar-code pyrosequencing and various analytical techniques. The course is intended for scientists and PhD and M.Sc. students with a background in Biology, Natural and Environmental Sciences, or related fields.