ANAHEIM, Calif. — Nanotechnology takes center stage at the 227th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, in Anaheim, March 28 - April 1. More than a dozen symposia are on tap featuring some of the latest research in this burgeoning field of science and technology.
There also is a host of other research areas scheduled, from the latest medical studies — a promising vaccine for diabetes; to the environment — the spread of the West Nile virus; to the unusual — snake venom that removes blood stains.
More than 8,300 scientific papers will be presented during the five-day meeting.
Highlights of a few selected symposia and research presentations are described below:
Sunday, March 28
Cell and tissue engineering among medical challenges facing researchers — Cell and tissue engineering have captured the imagination of the press and the public. From artificial skin and bone for burn and accident victims, to growing "organs in a box" for organ transplants, the potential medical advances are revolutionary. However, there are many materials science, biochemical, bioengineering, and other challenges standing in the way of turning these opportunities into clinical reality. The biggest potential for medical impact of tissue engineering may lie in creating the "human body on a chip" for revolutionizing drug development, according to one MIT researcher, who also will review the considerable progress being made on several fronts. (MEDI 3, Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m., Convention Center, Ballroom D, during the symposium, "Challenges for the Chemical Sciences in the 21st Century: Health and Medicine.")
Daily honey consumption may help fight heart disease — Eating four tablespoons of honey a day may help keep heart disease at bay, say researchers at the University of California, Davis. In what is believed to be the first study of chronic honey consumption in humans, the researchers fed 25 people approximately four tablespoons of buckwheat honey daily for 29 days as a supplement to their regular diets. Honey consumption enhanced the body's defense system by increasing blood levels of antioxidants, which are thought to protect against heart disease, the researchers say. (AFGD 11, Sunday, March 28, 10:50 a.m., Hilton Anaheim, Pacific Ballroom A, during the "General Papers" session.)
"Big Promise from 'Small' Science - How Nanotechnology Will Change Our Lives" — Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the atomic scale, has been called "the next big thing," and rightly so. In December, the federal government authorized nearly $4 billion for research and development in this area over the next four years, making nanotechnology the highest priority funded science and technology effort since the space race. Nearly every company in the Fortune 500 involved in manufacturing has entered nanotech, and venture capital investment is estimated at more than $1 billion in the last three years and growing. Promises about the potential of nanotechnology are also "big." It has been touted as the path to storing energy, curing cancer and miniaturizing everything. Less talked about are its limits, dangers or societal impacts. At this symposium, several leaders in nanoscience will examine some of the science behind nanotechnology and give a clearer picture of what is and what is not possible and what people might really expect to see. More than a dozen other symposia on nanotechnology are on the agenda for the ACS national meeting. (PRES 1-6 , Sunday, March 28, 2-5:40 p.m., Hilton Anaheim, California Pavilion D.)
"The National Research Council's Report: Beyond the Molecular Frontier" — New challenges are continually posed to the chemical sciences. It is crucial that these challenges be recognized and addressed. About every 10 years, a committee of the National Research Council reports on their view of the future of the chemical sciences and the ways in which chemical sciences can contribute to society. This special presidential symposium will focus attention on the NRC report issued in 2003. Speakers will describe the opportunities available for chemical practitioners to make major contributions in the areas of medicine, environment, homeland security and quality of life in general. (PRES 7-11 , Sunday, March 28, 7-9:30 p.m., at the Hilton Anaheim, California Pavilion D)
Monday, March 29
Adult bone marrow-derived cells contribute to brain and brawn — Researchers at Stanford University have demonstrated that adult human cells can repair damaged tissues. Recent work with adult stem cells from bone marrow has shown the cells can be successfully incorporated into muscle and Purkinje neuron cells in mice. This results in reprogramming of adult stem cell genes in response to local damage — providing a means to repair the injured areas — and could point the way to new therapies for healing injuries and repairing damage caused by disease or old age. (BIOT 65, Monday, March 29, 9:50 a.m., Convention Center, 304A/B/C, during the Presidential symposium, "Stem Cell and Vector Biology."
Study shows dietary cholesterol can directly damage heart muscle — Researchers have found preliminary evidence in animal studies that elevated dietary cholesterol directly damages the heart muscle, independent of its known damage to the blood vessels, and may be an important but unrecognized contributor to premature heart failure, which afflicts millions. If confirmed by human studies, the findings may help explain why cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins seem to improve the performance of the heart, separate from any effects they have on the blood vessels, according to researchers at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. (COLL 133, Monday, March 29, 2 p.m., Anaheim Marriott, Grand Ballroom K, during the symposium, "Bio-Colloids.")
Antifouling coating could mean longer-lasting implants — A new polymer coating, inspired by the protein adhesives secreted by marine mussels, that resists the buildup of cells and proteins could lead to more durable medical implants with reduced susceptibility to biofouling. Developed by researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois, the coating can be applied to a variety of materials and may find potential in areas beyond biomedicine, including marine and aerospace industries, say the scientists. (PMSE 150 , Monday, March 29, 4:10 p.m., Coast, Park C, during the symposium, "Interface of Polymers and Biomimetics.")
Tuesday, March 30
Faster and cheaper way to create transgenic lab mice — Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new and easier method of inserting genes into mouse embryonic stem cells in order to create transgenic mice for lab studies. It also provides a method for changing the mouse genome at very specific points using short pieces of DNA called oligonucleotides. The investigators say this work may have the potential for gene correction in human stem cells, adult or embryonic, and is the first known report of gene correction using oligonucleotides in mouse embryonic stem cells. (BIOT 121 , Tuesday, March 30, 9:40 a.m., at the Convention Center, Room 303B/C, during the symposium, "Embryonic Stem Cells and Applications.")
Wednesday, March 31
Clinical trials show promise for new burn treatment — Cellulose derived from bacteria has shown to be very beneficial in treating second and third degree burns in a small clinical study in Poland involving 20 patients. Most cellulose used in wound dressings currently comes from the dead cell walls of cotton or paper pulp. The researchers say bacterial cellulose appears to be one of the best materials for promoting wound healing from burns. They say it reduces pain, promotes tissue regrowth and may also reduce scarring. (CELL 157 , Wednesday, March 31, 11 a.m., Convention Center, Room 210A, during the symposium, "Bacterial Cellulose: Preparation, Properties, and Applications.")
"Polymers and Materials for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense" — This one and 1/2-day symposium features several papers dealing with chemical and biological weapons, explosives and nuclear materials, and addresses issues such as detection, protection and decontamination. Researchers will discuss new materials that have been developed for the detection and decontamination of a range of toxic molecules, from indoor air pollutants to chemical warfare agents. The presentations include highlights of several new materials for detection, membranes for use in lightweight protective clothing, as well as compounds that can be incorporated into protective clothing to decontaminate chemical agents. The following papers will be given at the Coast, Plaza C — Wednesday, March 31, 1:30-4:25 p.m.: POLY 592-597 Thursday, April 1, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: POLY 629-634, POLY 659-664
Thursday, April 1
Better bone implants through nanotechnology — Experimental bone implants that are nano-engineered appear not only more durable but also better able to integrate with natural bone tissue than the artificial joints and other micron-scale implants now on the market, according to researchers at Purdue University. They have studied the nanoproperties of ceramics, polymers and metals, and propose that the roughness of nanoparticles in metals creates a surface that bone cells are more likely to recognize. (COLL 535 , Thursday, April 1, 3 p.m., at the Anaheim Marriott, Orange County 5, during the symposium, "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.")