Every two years, the world's leading specialists meet to exchange information on the most recent advances in understanding metals and the part they play in treating some diseases, especially cancer. Most of the elements in our environment are metals. Some are essential for life, such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel and zinc; others are toxic, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. This book aims to help advance our knowledge of the role of metal ions in a number of fields in biology and medicine. It reproduces the papers given at the International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine organised in Munich in May 1998.

A fuller appreciation of the medical, physical and biological aspects of metals is necessary to advance knowledge about which metals are vital to human health, the treatment of disease, their uses, the environmental problems caused by their use, and their interactions with other chemical and biological products. This book, written by leading world specialists, surveys the latest advances in the understanding of metals, sets out the bases for future research and constitutes a remarkable working tool in the context of international research co-operation. A work that will enthrall specialists in internal medicine and respiratory disease, cancerologists and biologists. 3rd International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, held in Montreal, Canada, May 1994.

The objective of the 6th ISMIBM is to foster exchange of opinions between professionals and specialists working on analysis, research and applications of metal ions, trace elements and minerals in biological, biochemical, medical sciences, toxicology and environmental health. The scientific program, composed of plenary and concurrent sessions, and poster presentations is designed to promote intensive and productive dialogue among experts in these fields. A special program with short courses and mini-symposia have also been organised, featuring specialised areas including toxicology, analysis, pathology, remediation strategies, and environmental medicine.Original contributions (oral and/or poster presentations) are invited on the following themes: Metals and Environmental Health; Molecular Toxicology of Metals; Carcinogenicity of Metals; Speciation of Metals and Other Elements; Uses of Metals in Clinical Applications; Metals and Disease, Environmental and Toxicologic Pathology; Epidemiology and Occupational Health; Metals and Aging; Metals and Homeostasis; Effects of Low and High Nutritional Trace Element Status; Metals and Hormone Actions; Metals and Enzyme Activity; Metals and Chelation Therapy; Health Effects of Arsenic; Risk Assessment of Trace Element Status and Health; and, Advanced Methods for the Analysis of Trace Elements and Metal Ions.

Metal ions are poorly known whereas they sometimes play a role more significant than vitamins. Moreover they control many diseases, such as the zinc salts in dermatology. Another example is the recent discovery of platinum co-ordination compounds' anti-tumor activity (cisplatine). There is a growing volume of literature too. The chemistry of metal ions has provided new insights into DNA, proteins and membrane chemistry, as well as the physiopathology of diseases. This book contains the proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology and Medicine, Athens, May 1992.

Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology & Medicine held in Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 5-9 May 2002.

This book contains proceedings of the First International Symposium on Metal Ions in Biology & Medicine held in Reims (France) on 16 to 19 May 1990.