World’s largest scientific society convenes regional meeting September 23-26 in Savannah

More than 600 research findings will be presented at the 53rd Southeast regional meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, in Savannah, Ga., September 23-26. Over 700 scientists and students are expected to attend the meeting at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront Hotel (912-233-8897).

The Society’s national president, Attila Pavlath, will conduct a very important event, designating the Savannah Pulp and Paper Laboratory, founded by Charles Herty, as a National Historic Chemical Landmark on September 26 at 2 p.m. The activity will take place at the Herty Foundation, 110 Brampton Road, Garden City, Ga. (912-963-2600).

In 1992, the American Chemical Society established the landmarks program to commemorate and preserve landmarks in the history of chemistry and to heighten public awareness of the key role chemistry has played in the history of the United States and nations around the world. More than 30 places, discoveries and devices have achieved landmark status since the program’s inception.

Meeting highlights include:

Kids and the science of chemistry

Inhibiting reproduction of the HIV virus

Water quality of the Ocmulgee River

Pygmy rattlesnake venom and its use to treat snake bites

Benefits of gingko tree leaves

Landmark designation of the Savannah Paper and Pulp Company

General chair is George Novotnak, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro (912-897-5595 or 912-308-2107), and program chair is Will E. Lynch, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah (912-921-2337). For more information, visit chemistry.armstrong.edu/sermacs/sermacs01.

Sunday, September 23
1 – 5 p.m.

Kids and the science of chemistry — Children in grades K through 8 will learn to make a colorful butterfly with chemistry. A brief introductory lecture will precede the activity. (George Novotnak, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, 912-897-5595 or 912-308-2107).

Inhibitors of protein self assembly, dimeric HIV protease — Researcher will discuss development of molecular wedges that inhibit reproduction of HIV viruses. (Jean Chmielewski, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., 765-494-0135).

Tuesday, September 25
8:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Assessing six years of a water quality monitoring program on the Ocmulgee River, Georgia — The trends of water quality along the Ocmulgee River from 1996 to 2001 are presented and issues of quality assurance and control, project planning, and the dissemination of information will be discussed. (Brian Rood, Mercer University, Chemistry Department, Macon, Ga., 478-301-2885).

Tuesday, September 25
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Profiling and imaging of proteins in tissues by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) — Presenters have developed technology that allows the examination of molecular events inside cells and tissues to determine if the proteins are normal. (Pierre Chaurand and Richard M. Caprioli, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Nashville, Tenn., 615-332-4336).

Tuesday, September 25
2:30 – 4 p.m.

Characterization of enzymes in dusky pygmy rattlesnake venom, sistrurus miliarius barbouri — This session will examine enzyme contents in the pygmy rattlesnake, separating and purifying proteins for better treatment of victims of snake bites. (D. Dewaine Jackson, Stetson University, Department of Biochemistry, DeLand, Fla., 336-822-8181).

Wednesday, September 26
8 a.m. – 12 noon

Studies of metallic elemental contents of ginkgo leaves — Researcher will present findings regarding the beneficial effect and mineral content of gingko leaves. (Chu-ngi Ho, East Tennessee State University, Arts and Sciences, Johnson City, Tenn., 423-439-6914).

Wednesday, September 26
2 p.m.

Herty Foundation
110 Brampton Road
Garden City, Ga.

Designation of the Savannah Pulp and Paper Laboratory — ACS President Attila Pavlath will present a commemorative plaque to mark the landmark designation of the laboratory, now called the Herty Foundation. Established by Charles Herty in 1932, the lab produced quality paper from pine trees. (Will E. Lynch, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Ga., 912-921-2337, and Mamie Woodlief, Herty Foundation, Garden City, Ga., 912-963-2600).