PRACTICAL TRAINING COURSE IN TOXKIT MICROBIOTESTS From 19 to 23 March 2001

Transcription

1 PRACTICAL TRAINING COURSE IN TOXKIT MICROBIOTESTS From 19 to 23 March 2001 Venue: Biological Station of the University Blaise Pascal, Besse-en-Chandesse, France (department Puy-de-Dôme, at 50 km from Clermont-Ferrand) Registration fees (room and board included): - Students and scientists (shared room): FF = Delegates from the private sector (individual room): FF = 1000 Maximum number of participants: 15 Course languages: English and French Organizers: Prof.Dr.em.G.Persoone and staff Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology Ghent University, Belgium Local Responsable: Prof.Dr.G.Bourdier, Director Station Biologique de l'ubp à Besse-en-Chandesse Université Blaise Pascal, Biologie A Aubière Cédex, France HISTORY OF THE TRAINING COURSE Since 1990 the Laboratory for Biological Research in Aquatic Pollution (LABRAP) has been organizing practical training courses in aquatic toxicology, every two years, in Ghent, Belgium. As a result of the international success of these unique courses, similar practical trainings have been given by LABRAP in Italy, Spain, Portugal and in the Czech Republic. Since 1999 a Practical Training Course in Toxkit Microbiotests has been organized yearly by the same Laboratory at the Biological Station of the University Blaise Pascal, in Besse-en-Chandesse, France. THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICROBIOTESTS

2 For the last 15 years, LABRAP (renamed in 1999 Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology = LETAE ), has specialized in the development of simple, practical and low cost microbiotests, as alternatives to conventional bioassays, the performance of which is restricted to specialized laboratories. The major characteristic (and assett) of these new microbiotests, besides their "miniaturization" in small kits, is their total independence of culturing or maintenance of test biota. The principle of these new bioassays, which have been given the generic name of TOXKITS, is the use of dormant or immobilized stages of selected test species, as the starting biological material from which the test organisms can easily be hatched or reactivated at the time of performance of the bioassays Daphnia magna ephippium Algal beads (2 mm diameter) w ith 2 dormant eggs, and each containing more than 2 freshly hatched Daphnias 1 million micro-algae A whole range of Toxkit microbiotests, with test species belonging to diverse phylogenetic groups (micro-algae, protozoans, rotifers, crustaceans) has been developed in LETAE which are now commercially available and used in an increasing number of laboratories worldwide. Several Toxkit microbiotests make use of the same species as the conventional toxicity tests prescribed by environmental legislations at national and international level; the Toxkit testing procedures have been structured such that they comply with the test methodologies of regulatory bioassays. Besides the "resting" biological material, Toxkits contain all the components (test containers, micropipettes, solutions) for performance of several bioassays. All Toxkit microbiotests require but modest laboratory equipement for their iperformance. The urgent demand in many countries for ecotoxicological methods which are simple and hence suitable for application in routine, has triggered a worldwide interest for the Toxkit microbiotests. OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING COURSE Although all Toxkit microbiotests can be performed successfully when following the detailed instructions of the Standard Operational Procedure brochures included in each kit, all past training courses have shown that a practical apprenticeship of a few days, under the guidance and supervision of qualified teachers, still constitutes the best guaranty for a correct application of the tests... The practical training course on Toxkit microbiotests aims at familiarizing the participants with the new ecotoxicological technologies, with individual performance of the microbiotests by the trainees.

3 STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING COURSE During the 5 days practical training, the participants will be initiated into and will perform individually or receive demonstrations on each of the following Toxkit microbiotests: ACUTE TESTS - Daphtoxkit F TM magna and Daphtoxkit F TM pulex : immobilization assays with the freshwater cladoceran crustaceans Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex (endpoint : 24h and 48h EC50) - Ceriodaphtoxkit F TM acute : mortality test with the freshwater cladoceran crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia (endpoint : 24h LC50) - Thamnotoxkit F TM : mortality test with the freshwater anostracan crustacean Thamnocephalus platyurus (endpoint : 24h LC50) - Artoxkit M TM : mortality test with the marine anostracan crustacean Artemia franciscana (endpoint : 24h LC50) - Rotoxkit F TM : mortality test with the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (endpoint : 24h LC50) - Rotoxkit M TM : mortality test with the estuarine/marine crustacean Brachionus plicatilis (endpoint : 24 h LC50) - Fluotox F : 1h enzymatic inhibition test with a Toxkit crustacean species (endpoint : 1h EC50) CHRONIC TESTS - Algaltoxkit F TM : growth inhibition test with the micro-algae Selenastrum capricornutum (Raphidocelis subcapitata) (endpoints : 72h EC50 and NOEC) - Ceriodaphtoxkit F TM chronic: reproduction inhibition test with the cladoceran crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia (endpoint : 7 days EC50 and NOEC) - Rotoxkit F TM chronic: reproduction inhibition test with the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (endpoints : 48h EC50 and NOEC)

4 - Protoxkit F TM : reproduction inhibition test with the freshwater ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila (endpoints 24h EC50 and NOEC) - Ostracodtoxkit F TM chronic : mortality and growth inhibition test with the freshwater ostracod crustacean Heterocypris incongruens (endpoints : 6 days EC50 and NOEC) = direct contact test for sediments Detailed information on several Toxkit microbiotests is given further down. Venue PRACTICAL INFORMATION The Biological Station of the University Blaise Pascal in Besse-en-Chandesse has the infrastructure and all the facilities and equipment to host training courses, including lodging and catering. For more than 50 years a substantial number of zoological, botanical and geological courses are organized yearly at this Biological Station, by Universities and Institutes from France and different other countries. Travel Participants will travel by their own means to the airport or railway station of Clermont-Ferrand, or directly to the "Station Biologique" at Besse-en-Chandesse. For the participants arriving at the airport and railway station in Clermont-Ferrand, transportation will be arranged at no extra charge to the Station Biologique in Besse-en-Chandesse and back to the railway station or airport. Programme and Schedule of the Training Course The trainings will be given every day from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. The practical daily programme and time table will be made up early in 2001 and sent to the registered participants. Certificate All participants will receive a certificate at the end of the course. Excursions - Sight seeing Besse-en-Chandesse is a small town located in the heart of the magnificent Auvergne in France, renowned for its historical past and its natural richness.

5 A few "mini-trips" will be organized during the period of the training course to the immediate surroundings of Besse-en-Chandesse. On saturday 24 March, an (optional) full day of sight seeing will be organized for the participants interested in seeing some of the magnificent historical and natural treasures of the Puy-de-Dôme. The costs and the details of this extra day will be communicated ulteriorly. Registrations For practical reasons the number of participants is limited to 15 people. Registrations will be taken on the famous principle: "FIRST COME - FIRST SERVED"... Those interested in registering for this practical training course intoxkit microbiotests shall fill out the registration form and send it by mail, fax or to : Prof.Dr.em.G.Persoone Ghent University Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology J.Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent/Belgium Tel: / Fax: guido.persoone@rug.ac.be PRACTICAL TRAINING COURSE ON TOXKIT MICROBIOTESTS Station Biologique, Besse-en-Chandesse, France

6 March 19-23, 2001 REGISTRATION FORM Surname First name Affiliation.. Address. City and postal code... Country Tel.... Fax Registration fee: The registration fee includes all the costs for the practical training as well as the room charges and the meals. N.B. Participation in the training course will only be guaranteed if payment is received one month before the start of the course! Registration fee (in EURO ) Students/scientists (shared room) Delegates from the private sector (individual room) Regular participant Accompanying person (Name :.....) Guided sight-seeing tour on saturday 24 March Room charges for extra night on saturday 24 March TOTAL AMOUNT DUE I will pay the total amount of... EURO by bank transfer (with all bank charges paid) to account number of Training Course Bioassays, at the KBC bank, Kouter, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, with the indication : Registration fee of (name of participant). To be sent by mail, fax or to : Secretariate Toxkit Training Course University of Ghent Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology J. Plateaustraat 22 B-9000 Ghent/Belgium Fax : guido.persoone@rug.ac.be