Announcement: Vth COMTOX Symposium on Toxicology and Clinical Chemistry of Metals

Analysis of Metals in Biological Materials Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic emission spectroscopy; electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry; neutron activation analysis and related techniques, electron microprobe analysis; voltametry and related techniques; speciation by high performance liquid chromatography; capillary electrophoresis with metalsensitive detectors; metal receptor isolation by metal-affinity chromatography; Western blots with metal radioprobes; reference methods and materials; quality assurance, and interlaboratory harmonization of metal analyses.


Analysis of Metals in Biological Materials
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic emission spectroscopy; electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry; neutron activation analysis and related techniques, electron microprobe analysis; voltametry and related techniques; speciation by high performance liquid chromatography; capillary electrophoresis with metalsensitive detectors; metal receptor isolation by metal-affinity chromatography; Western blots with metal radioprobes; reference methods and materials; quality assurance, and interlaboratory harmonization of metal analyses.

Molecular Biology & Toxicology of Metals
Cellular entry and subcellular translocation of metals; metal-binding to macromolecules and diffusible ligands; metallothionein and its isoforms; metals in cell division, gene replication, and transcription; metal-induced free reactions; mechanisms of metal genotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and teratogenesis.

Metals in Health and Disease
Metal absorption, distribution, and kinetics; animal models; nutritional essentiality; dietary requirements; reference values for metals in body fluids and tissues; toxicity for brain, liver, kidney, heart, lung, bone, and skin; hematological, immunological, endocrine, and reproductive effects; interactions of essential and toxic trace metals; genetic disorders of metal metabolism; inter-individual variation in susceptibility to metal toxicity; metal accumulation in organ insufficiency; metal compounds as drugs and chemotherapeutic agents; chelation treatment and dietary therapy for metal overload.

Occupational & Environmental Exposures
Chemical and biological monitoring of metal exposures from occupational, environmental, and iatrogenic sources; metal release from dental and orthopaedic prostheses; biomarkers of metal toxicity and carcinogenesis; epidemiological studies.

Lectures
Trace Metal Analysis Chemical speciation of metals in biological materials. R Cornelis (Belgium) Trace metal isotopes in body fluids. D Templeton (Canada) The impact of laboratory design on analytical sensitivity for trace metals. TP Moyer (USA) Quality control of trace element measurements in body fluids and tissues. Y Thomassen Effects of chelators on cadmium deposits and essential metal levels. V. Eybl (Czech Republic) Chelation therapy of lead-exposed children. (to be announced) The DAMEVAL challenge test as a measure of mercury exposure from dental amalgams. V. Aposhian (USA) Paper on therapy of Wilson's disease. (to be announced) Paper on therapy of Menkes' disease. (to be announced) Paper on therapy of iron overload. (to be announced) Epidemiology and Bio-markers of Metal-Induced Cancers Recent epidemiological evidence on the carcinogeniicity of metals. P. Boffetta (France) Cancer risk from orthopeadic prostheses. MP Coleman (UK) Paper on biomarkers of metal exposures and neoplastic transformation (to be announced) Members' Registration Fee US$ 350. (for members of the Association of Clinical Scientists; affiliate members of IUPAC; and members of the Program and Scientific Advisory Committees who register before 15 january 1995) Selected Nations Registration Fee US$ 300.(for 50 scientists and physicians from nations of Eastern Europe, Near East, Africa, South America, Central America, and Peoples Republic of China who register before 15 January 1995) Student Registration Fee US$ 300. (for 50 pre-doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and physicians-in-training who register before 15 january 1995, with an acceptable abstract and a statement of eligibility from their University Dean or Institutional Program Director). Their doctoral degrees must have been granted after 1 July 1990).
The final deadline for registration is 15 june 1995. Except for special circumstances, on-site registration will not be available.

Campus Accommodations
The COMTOX Symposium has reserved a large block of single and double rooms for registrants and accompanying persons in the modern Walter Gage Residence Tower on the UBC campus. These rooms are comfortably furnished and modestly priced. The 1994 room rates (in Canadian dollars) are $32 per person per night (plus 15% tax)for single rooms with shared washroom facilities and $70 per room per night (plus 15% tax) for a room with a double bed (single or double occupancy). The 1995 rates may be slightly higher.
These prices are for accommodation-only, and do not include meals, which are available at the Student Union. Accommodation Forms should be sent to the University of British Columbia Conference Centre, 5961 Student Union Boulevard, Vancouver B.C., Canada V6T 2C9 (tel: 604-822-1010; fax: 604-822-1001). Requests for these rooms must be received by 8 June 1995.

Hotel Accommodations
The COMTOX Symposium has reserved a small block of rooms in the sumptuous Landis Hotel, for registrants and accompanying persons who prefer to stay downtown in Vancouver and commute to the UBC campus by public bus or taxi. The campus is approximately 20 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by bus from the Landis Hotel. The discounted room rate (in Canadian dollars) will be $125 per night (single or double occupancy), plus 17% tax. The Landis Hotel's Room Reservation Form should be sent directly to the Landis Hotel, 1234 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B. C., Canada V6ZlW2 (tel.: 604-688-1234; fax: 604-689-1762). Requests for these rooms must be received by 8 June 1995.