The course is suitable for colleagues/students who are not familiar with the technique of non-invasive hormone measurement and will allow participants to gain expertise and practical experience in the technique of sample collection, hormone extraction, performance of enzyme immunoassays (EIA), as well as data interpretation.

The course is limited to 12-14 participants (FCFS) and registration fee is R2950 (Staff rate) and R2650 (Student rate) per person, respectively. The course registration fee covers expenses for all instructions, laboratory supplies, and use of equipment. It further includes teas and lunches.

Accommodation and transport is not included. However, limited accommodation at the Zoo is available on request at R100 per person per day.

If you are interested and wish to be placed on a pre-registration list and on an announcement mailing list, please submit your contact details  to: Dr André Ganswindt ([email protected]) until the 1st of March  2010. 

Preliminary program  1. Day   09:00 - 10:00 Arrival (welcoming & registration) 10:00 - 10:30 General announcements & program 10:30 - 11:00 Tea 11:00 - 11:45 Talk "Non-invasive Hormone Monitoring - An introduction to the topic" 11:45 - 12:30 Talk "Hormones - definition, classification, structure, nomenclature" 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch 13:30 - 14:15 Introduction of the Lab and its equipment 14:15 - 16:45 Practical: Basic Lab Training (dimensions & dilutions, pipetting) 2.Day   09:00 - 09:45 Talk "Sample collection & storage" 09:45 - 10:30 Talk "Hormone extraction" 10:30 - 11:00 Tea 11:00 - 12:30 Practical "Hormone extraction Part I - pulverising & weighing " 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch 13:30 - 16:30 Practical "Hormone extraction Part II - extracting & centrifugation" 3.Day   09:00 - 09:45