//Welcome
The department of Organic Chemistry, Ghent University (Belgium) has been selected by the European Commission as a Host Institution for a Marie Curie Early Stage Research Training Site (EST) with the following title "Sensing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: development of novel solid phase extraction systems". (sEnDiChem)
Contract number: MEST-CT-2005-020643
Mission statement
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental pollutants endowed with endocrine activity. An increasing risk of cancerogenesis, disturbance of children's development and reduced male fertility are attributed to EDCs in water and nutrition. The proposal will focus on an efficient collaboration between synthetic organic chemists, polymer chemists, separation scientists and specialists in structural characterization, for the design of novel solid phase extraction systems for EDCs. The specific challenge lies in the development of materials showing gradually differing affinity for several EDCs.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project defines a wide field of training for the early stage researchers. Furthermore next to training in scientific and technological competencies, training will be provided in complementary skills such as presentation and reporting capability, aspects of industrial research and time management.
The Department combines different research groups with relevant experience in several aspects of the project.
The close connection between the Department of Organic Chemistry (UGent), the Research Institute for Chromatography and the Pfizer Analytical Research Center will ensure awareness of industrial needs and opportunities.
The specific objectives of this early stage research training project are therefore:
- Training 4 young scientists in a laboratory based multidisciplinary programme making use of the excellent research environment at Ghent University.
- Developing novel solid phase EDC extraction methods for waste water analysis using a combination of advanced organic synthesis and polymer chemistry, NMR affinity measurements and state-of-the-art separation techniques. The specific challenge lies in the development of materials showing gradually differing affinity for several EDCs.