PRACTICAL COURSE FOR Ph.D. STUDENTS
24-27 May, 2022, Oristano (Sardinia, Italy)
Microbes-Macrofauna Associations and their role in the Nitrogen Cycle
Practical course on “Microbes-Macrofauna Associations and their role in the Nitrogen Cycle” will be organized by the Marine Research Institute of Klaipeda University (Lithuania) in collaborationwith the International Marine Center (Sardinia, Italy). This course will provide participants with sound theoretical and practical foundation on state-of-the-art biogeochemical tools used to investigate the ecological and quantitative contribution of microbe-macrofauna associations in benthic nitrogen cycling.
Up to 10 PhD students with background in biogeochemistry, marine ecology or related disciplines are welcome to apply to join this practical course. Each day will feature theoretical classes in the morning with introduction to methodological approaches, and continue with a laboratory work in the afternoon. Small groups of students will be formed to faciliate learning and promote inclusion. Students will be selected based on their skills, motivation and accounting for gender balance.
The course will feature:
- Theoretical classes on:
- microbial ecology in coastal and estuarine sediments;
- macrofauna ecology and fundamentals of physiology;
- microbial nitrogen transformations and their environmental regulation;
- introduction to 15N-based biogeochemical measurements;
- approaches to characterize N-cycling microbes in sediments and macrofauna.
- Laboratory work on:
- sampling and preservation of sediment, biological samples;
- 15N-based incubations for denitrification, DNRA and N2 fixation measurements;
- Measurement of macrofauna metabolism.
Teachers:
Dr. Aurelija Samuiloviene, Klaipeda University, Lithuania
Dr. Mindaugas Zilius, Klaipeda University, Lithuania
Dr. Ulisse Cardini, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Italy
Assist. Prof. Stefano Bonaglia, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Assoc. Prof. Marco Bartoli, Parma University, Italy.
Where: International Marine Center in Oristano, Sardinia, Italy.
Requirements for students: basic background in biogeochemistry.
Application deadline: candidancy should be submitted by April 7th, 2022 (Appl. form) to jolita.petkuviene@ku.lt
Notification of acceptance: April 10th, 2022.
Important information: The course is free of charge, while travelling and dinner expenses are not covered.
Practical school is a part of the “Invertebrate–Bacterial Associations as Hotpots of Benthic Nitrogen Cycling in Estuarine Ecosystems (INBALANCE)” project, which is funded by the European Social Fund (project No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0069) under grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT).
