Objective Determination and speciation of metal elements in biological samples using electrochemical methods of analysis with ultramicroelectrodes (UME). The increasing interest of these microelectrodes is due to their remarkable characteristics allowing the extension of applications for electrochemical techniques (in vivo, small volume, low temperature, study of phenomena in a very short time- microseconds-...) The project involves the determination and speciation of metal elements in biological samples using electrochemical methods of analysis with ultramicroelectrodes (UME). The increasing interest of these microelectrodes is due to their remarkable characteristics, allowing the extension of applications for electrochemical techniques (in vivo, smallvolume, low temperature, study of phenomena in a very short time of the order of microseconds.) A voltammetric study of the behaviour of cadmium thionein and zinc thionein using conventional electrodes has been undertaken.Progress to end 1991 Basic research : Voltammetric study on behaviour of Cd, Zn thionein using conventional electrodes. Detailed description of work foreseen in 1992 (expected results) - Checking these UME using well known electrochemical systems. - Study "in vitro" using commercial UMEs for metal-ion analysis and speciation in metallothioneins. Optimisation of experimental conditions as a function of different parameters : Redox potentials for elements : cadnium, zinc, copper, lead, iron Nature of electrode : platinum, gold, pyrolitic graphite, mercury film Electrochemical method : cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse polarography, square-wave voltammetry, stripping voltammetry, chronoamperometry. Short description of evolution of work in 1993 - Characterization and analysis of other metalloproteins - Satisfying the high interest of pharmaceutical industry in specific method developments - Applications "in vivo". Programme(s) JRC-EXPLORES 1C - Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Exploratory research -, 1988-1991 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Joint Research Centre Geel EU contribution No data Address Steenweg op Retie 2240 GEEL Belgium See on map Total cost No data