BIOLOGICAL TRACE-ELEMENT RESEARCH - NEED FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES

''The lack of a multidisciplinary approach has been the Achilles heel of biological trace element research'' [Iyengar 1989], Both analysts a nd life scientists recognize that the key to the development of a reli able database for the elemental content and speciation in biological s ystems lies in an interdisciplinary strategy, involving an understandi ng of the biological basis of the problem; developments in bioanalytic al concepts; preparation of well-defined protocols; procurement of val id samples; use of appropriate analytical techniques and procedures; a nd analytical quality assurance. In other words, a team approach ensur ing the required multidisciplinary interactions is a crucial component in any fruitful biological trace element research endeavor, This pape r explores the implications of Mertz's statement that ''an analytical chemist should be more than a procurer of data and a life scientist mo re than their interpreter''.