Chemical Communication

You are here

Warning message

Submissions for this form are closed.

All pictures_1.png

Chemical Communication

Discovering the language of life

To be announced

 

Scope

Muizen.jpgChemical communication is one of the most abundant types of information exchange in life. Chemical signals or cues may be produced by macro-organisms or by their associated micro-organisms. Chemical communication can also be exploited by a third party such as a predator exploiting cues from its prey. Thus, chemical signals may be perceived by individuals of the same species or different species at different trophic levels, to make decisions on e.g. whether to hide or forage, to approach a sexual partner, to search for a resource or avoid a competitor or natural enemy. Chemical information may consist of individual compounds or complex mixtures. Responses to this information may be hardwired or phenotypically plastic. As a result, chemical communication and its exploitation shapes interactions between individuals, shapes population processes and structures communities. In the postgraduate course Chemical Communication we will focus on chemical information at different levels of biological organisation and pay attention at ecological processes and their underlying mechanisms, including production of chemical information and its perception. We will include microorganism, plants and animals, their interactions and consequences for community dynamics.

Course set-up

The course is composed of a poster session, a series of lectures, model demonstrations, and development of a research proposal in a group setting.

Lectures and discussion
Each day starts with two speakers giving a lecture on one of the key course topics, covering both the general theory and applied aspects. After each lecture, a discussion of 45 minutes is held, which is convened by participants who challenge the speaker on the presentation and papers that the speaker submitted (which participants will receive before the course).

Poster session
Prior to the course, participants must submit a poster of their work (A1-size) in PDF, which will be printed by the course office. The poster must contain your name and affiliation, title and short description of your research project with one highlight (something exciting) and the reason why you want to participate in this course. Participants briefly highlight the poster followed by ample time for participants and lecturers to visit individual posters. Posters will remain in the lecture room throughout the course.

Group activities
In the afternoons, participants will be split into working groups and will develop a research proposal. Each group will present the results to all course participants on Thursday. Group activities will be supervised by the lecturers and course organisers, so that the participants can optimally benefit from experts that are among the leaders in their fields.

Course lecturers

Below, you can find the list of currently confirmed lecturers in this course. We are in the process of inviting more lecturers, so keep coming back to see updates!

Course organisers
General information
Target Group The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdocs and other academics
Group Size Min. 15, max. 35 participants
Course duration 4 days
Language of instruction English
Frequency of recurrence Once every four years
Number of credits 1.5 ECTS
Prior knowledge An academic background with at least an MSc degree.
Location Parkhotel de Bosrand, Ede, the Netherlands

 

Fees 1
  EARLY-BIRD FEE 2 REGULAR FEE 2
PE&RC / EPS / WIMEK / WASS / WIAS / VLAG / RSEE PhD candidates with an approved TSP €   300,- €   350,-
a) All other PhD candidates
b) Postdocs and staff of the above mentioned Graduate Schools
€   680,- €   730,-
All others €   980,- € 1.030,-

1 The course fee includes accommodation, all meals, course materials, coffee/tea, and water. It does not include beverages in the bar.
2 The Early-Bird Fee applies to anyone who REGISTERS ON OR BEFORE 10 JANUARY 2020

Note:

  • If you need an invoice to complete your payment, please send an email to office.pe@wur.nl, including ALL relevant details that should be mentioned on the invoice (e.g., purchase order no., specific addresses, attendees, etc.).
  • The Early-Bird policy is such that the moment of REGISTRATION (and not payment) is leading for determining the fee that applies to you.
  • Please make sure that your payment is arranged within two weeks after your registration.
  • It is the participant's responsibility to make sure that he/she (or his/her secretary) completes the payment correctly and in time.
PE&RC Cancellation Conditions
  • Up to 4 (four) weeks prior to the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
  • Up to 2 (two) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of € 300,- will be charged.
  • In case of cancellation within two weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of € 680,- will be charged.
  • If you do not show at all, a fee of € 980,- will nevertheless be charged.

Note: If you would like to cancel your registration, ALWAYS inform us and do not assume that by NOT paying the participation fee, your registration is automatically cancelled, because it isn't (and do note that you will be kept to the cancellation conditions).

More information

Dr. Lennart Suselbeek (PE&RC)
Phone: +31 (0) 317 485426
Email: lennart.suselbeek@wur.nl

Registration

To register, please enter your details below and click "Register".