SCIENTIFIC COVERAGE

Scientific Coverage

GMS deal with the kinetics and effects of trace elements and covers disciplines such as physiology, biochemistry and toxicology.

Since trace elements can show low bioavailability, homeostatic mechanisms have developed in the course of evolution at all stages of life, to increase absorption or limit excretion under conditions of deficiency and retain body stores under conditions of sufficient or oversupply – all whilst avoiding toxic accumulation .

By definition each trace element contributes less than 0.1% of body mass. These function by e.g. catalytic function after incorporation into enzymes and other bioproteins, or through structuring DNA and RNA. Research of these mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels are core topics of the GMS. Our research approach is molecular biology-, analytical chemistry- and pharmacological- based.

The bioavailability of trace elements are related to soil-using disciplines, meaning we also work within disciplines such as agriculture, forestry, geology, and nutritional science. Our work includes supplementation as we broaden our understanding of the mobilisation of trace elements from soil to plants, from feed to animals and from food to the human body.

Other important focal points of GMS are diagnostics and biomonitoring. Both tasks can be challenging when working with analytes in trace amounts, particularly if conclusions on their association to chemical ligands should be made (element speciation) or when their oxidative state must be determined (redox speciation).

Clinical disciplines investigate the role of trace elements in diseases. Here, toxic effects are explored in the case of excess and deficiency symptoms in the case of scarcity. Furthermore, many trace elements are involved in oxido-reductive processes and interactions in homeostatic control, making them involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer.

Lastly, the food industry has a commercial interest in trace elements, used both to fortify existing products and to create and produce supplements. Trace elements together with other micronutrients also play a paramount role in tackling in malnutrition in developing countries.

History of the GMS

Foundation:
The GMS was founded on February 2, 1985 during a meeting at Starnberger See. Among the founding members were Prof. Lombeck, Prof. Kruse-Jarres, Prof. Brätter, Prof. Holtmeier & Dr. Stahl. The first president of the GMS was Prof. Jürgen Kruse-Jarres.

History of presidents, management boards, scientific advisory boards and general assemblies:

According to the statutes of GMS, a general assembly is held every year and an election of the board members every three years. The first general assembly of the GMS was held on April 20, 1985.

General assembly 1985, election period of the board 1985-1988 (planned)
President: Prof. Jürgen Kruse-Jarres
Vice-presidents: Prof. Holtmeier. Prof. Tölg
General Secretary: Dr. Stahl
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Brätter

The starting phase after the foundation of the GMS was turbulent, resulting in a step-back of all board members on October 10, 1985. Most board members kept their functions provisionally until the next ordinary general assembly and Prof. Holtmeier became general secretary on an interim basis.

General assembly 1986, election period of the board 1986-1989
President: Prof. Wilhelm Fresenius
Vice-presidents: Prof. Kruse-Jarres, Prof. Tölg
General Secretary: Prof. Holtmeier
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Brätter

General assembly 1989, election period of the board 1989-1992
President: Prof. Wilhelm Fresenius
Vice-presidents: Prof. Kruse-Jarres, Prof. Tölg
General Secretary: Prof. Holtmeier
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Brätter

General assembly 1992, election period of the board 1992-1995
President: Prof. Wilhelm Fresenius
Vice-presidents: Prof. Brätter, Prof. Dörner until 1994, and then Prof. Liesen
General Secretary: Prof. Holtmeier until 1994, then Prof. Dörner
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Kruse-Jarres

General assembly 1995, election period of the board 1995-1998
President: Prof. Wilhelm Fresenius
Vice-presidents: Prof. Brätter, Prof. Liesen
General Secretary: Prof. Dörner
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Kruse-Jarres

General assembly 1998, election period of the board 1998-2001
President: Prof. Peter Brätter
Vice-presidents: Prof. Liesen, Dr. Reichlmair-Lais until 2000, and then Dr. B. Michalke
General Secretary: Prof. Dörner
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. Kruse-Jarres

General assembly 2001, election period of the board 2001-2004
President: Prof. Jürgen Kruse-Jarres
Vice-presidents: Dr. B. Michalke, Dr. W. Windisch
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. P. Brätter

General assembly 2004, election period of the board 2004-2007
President: Dr. Bernhard Michalke
Vice-presidents: Prof. W. Windisch, Prof. J. Köhrle
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. K. Schümann

General assembly 2007, election period of the board 2007-2010
President: Prof. Bernhard Michalke
Vice-presidents: Prof. W. Windisch, Prof. J. Köhrle
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. K. Schümann

General assembly 2010, election period of the board 2010-2013
President: Prof. Bernhard Michalke
Vice-presidents: Prof. J. Köhrle, Dr. A. Richards
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. W. Windisch

General assembly 2013, election period of the board 2013-2016
President: Prof. Bernhard Michalke
Vice-presidents: Prof. L. Schomburg, Prof. D. Schaumlöffel
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. T. Schwerdtle

General assembly 2016, election period of the board 2016-2019
President: Prof. Dirk Schaumlöffel
Vice-presidents: Prof. T. Schwerdtle, Prof. A. Kipp until 2018
General Secretary: Dr. Y. Schmitt until 2018, then Prof. A. Kipp
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. B. Michalke

General assembly 2019, election period of the board 2019-2022
President: Prof. Dirk Schaumlöffel
Vice-presidents: Prof. T. Schwerdtle, Prof. L. Rink
General Secretary: Prof. A. Kipp
Chair of the scientific advisory board: Prof. B. Michalke