Biomineralization

9-10 April 2018

Pilar Junier

Dr Saskia Bindschedler, UNINE

Karim Benzera (Geobiology group, IMPMC, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F) - Biomineralization

Tomaso Bontognali (Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, CH) - Exobiology

Geoffrey Gadd (Geomicrobiology group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK) - Geomycology

Joint activity doctoral programs CUSO in Microbial Sciences & Unine in Organismal biology

Objectives

Experts in the field of microbial biomineralization will present, and discuss with PhD students, the most recent advances regarding knowledge and methodologies used to answer open questions that remain in this field.

Presentation of the activity

This two-day activity in the field of geomicrobiology and biomineralization is intended for both microbiologists and geologists. It consists in two alternating activities: lectures by three experts in the field along with a practical exercise for the students.

For the exercise, ahead of the activity, each of the three experts will propose a research topic in their field of expertise, along with 3-4 selected publications. Upon inscription to the activity, the students will be asked to select two of these topics. Based on this, the organizers will organize groups of students with mixed backgrounds (i.e. biologists and geologists). During the exercise parts of this activity (three periods), each group will have to develop a small research project based on the propositions by the experts. During the workshops, each group will be coached by one of the expert on his particular topic, but there will also be time for discussion and inputs by the other experts. At the end of the activity, the students will be asked to present the research project they have developed to their fellows.

Program

Day 1

9h-9h15 Welcome

9h15-10h15 Talk 1

10h15-10h45 Coffee break

10h45-12h30 Exercise 1^st period

12h30-13h30 Lunch

13h30-14h30 Talk 2

14h30-15h Coffee break

15h-16h45 Exercise 2^nd period

16h45-17h15 Summary of the first day

Day 2

9h-10h Talk 3

10h-10h30 Coffee break

10h30-12h15 Exercise 3^rd period

12h15-13h15 Lunch

13h15-14h15 Exercise 4^th period: presentations by the students plus discussion

14h15-14h45 Coffee break

14h45-16h45 Exercise 4^th period: presentations by the students plus discussion

16h45-17h Conclusive remarks

Neuchâtel

Number of participants: 12 (3 groups of 4 students), in case of a great interest maximal number of participant can be increased to 15 (3 groups of 5 students).

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