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Coursebooks 2017-2018
Biomineralization: from nature to application
ENV-406
Lecturer(s) :
Meibom AndersLanguage:
English
Withdrawal
It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.Summary
Understanding process and role of biomineralization (minerals formed by living organisms) in context of Earth's evolution,global chemical cycles, climatic changes and remediation.Content
Biomineralization refers to the processes by which organisms form minerals. It is therefore, by definition, a highly multidisciplinary field that spans both the inorganic and the organic world. The phenomenon of biomineralization is relevant to the Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences on practically all length scales. From the immense scale of reef-systems and global ocean life-cycles to small bacterial communities, the impact of biomineralization spans length scales of at least 12 orders of magnitude and a large fraction of geological time! But despite the global environmental impact of biomineralization and its fundamental scientific importance, there are still many open questions about the basic biological mechanisms involved.
This class aims at giving the student an insight into the study of fundamental biological processes that shape biominerals and determine their chemical and isotopic composition. The physiology of biomineralization, matrix-mediated control of biominerals, cell-environment interface will be discussed for a number of organisms, including bacteria, corals, foraminifera and sponges.
The occurrence of biominerals in the geologic record and their use as paleo-climate recorders will be discussed together with biomineralization induced by bacteria, with important implications for mineral ore formation and remediation of contaminated sites. Different examples of how biomineralzation has inspired e.g. the material sciences will also be given.
Keywords
General principles of biomineralization - controlled versus induced, properties, diversity
The origin of Biomineralization
Large scale biomineralization patterns through Earth history
Present day pattern of biomineralization
Biomineralization and global elemental cycles
Biomineralization and global environmental change (e.g. ocean acidification)
Biominerals as proxies for past environmental change
Carbonate biomineralization processes for specific organisms: corals, sponges, foraminifera
Silicon biomineralization
Biomineralization by bacteria and environmental applications
Bones and teeth and their applications to describe environmental conditions.
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
Basic courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry and geology.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:- Assess / Evaluate literature on biomineralization
- Choose a topic within the context provided by the lectures
- Compose a written review of the selected literature
- Defend the written text with an oral presentation
Transversal skills
- Summarize an article or a technical report.
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
- Make an oral presentation.
- Write a literature review which assesses the state of the art.
Teaching methods
The class will consist of lectures given by international experts in topics related to biomineralization.
Students will prepare presentations of specific topics/papers for discussing
Expected student activities
Students will attend lectures and lab classes and participate in discussions.
Students will write a project on a topic chosen in collaboration with the teachers and present the project at the end of the semester.
Assessment methods
Students will be evaluated for their written report (75%) and it presentation (25%).
Resources
Bibliography
Lectures notes, papers, and presentations to be handed out by the teacher(s).
In the programs
- SemesterFall
- Exam formDuring the semester
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Biomineralization: from nature to application - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Project
1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
- SemesterFall
- Exam formDuring the semester
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Biomineralization: from nature to application - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Project
1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
- UNIL - Géosciences , 2017-2018, Autumn semester
- SemesterFall
- Exam formDuring the semester
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Biomineralization: from nature to application - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Project
1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
Reference week
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- Autumn semester
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- Lecture in French
- Lecture in English
- Lecture in German