Scientists to reveal latest research breakthroughs at 'Chemistry and Health' conference

Scientists to observe the International Year of Chemistry at the Palais des congr-s de Montr-al from June 5 to 9, 2011

To mark the International Year of Chemistry, the 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Palais des congr-s de Montr-al from June 5 to 9, 2011. The gathering is the biggest ever annual event in Canada to focus on science and the practice of chemistry.

Robert Prud'homme, director of the Department of Chemistry at the Universit- de Montr-al, and Ann English, director of the Centre for Biological Applications of Mass Spectrometry at Concordia University, are chairs of the event's organizing and scientific committees. They encourage journalists to attend the conference to become better acquainted with the latest research and scientific breakthroughs. "The conference theme, 'Chemistry and Health,' emphasizes chemistry's importance in all spheres of human activity - especially in the realm of health," note the chairs.

Below, grouped by theme, are some symposia highlights:

Scientists are focusing on spider silk and the byssal threads of the blue mussel. Among materials with medical applications, the development of a biodegradable polymer should draw attention along with contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), artificial synapses and cell-recovery strategies for the purpose of tissular implantation.

• 00211 Self‐immolative Polymers: A New Class of Biodegradable Materials
• 00253 Natural and Transgenic Spider Silk Proteins
• 00262 Development of Films Made of Proteins Extracted from Anchoring Threads of Marine Mussels
• 00261 Smart Lipid‐and Polymer‐Based Substrates for Artificial Synapses
• 00215 Investigation of Auto Cross‐linking Polyelectrolytes to Conformally Coat Individual Living Yeast Cells

The "Cancer Therapeutics" symposium will present the work of Canadian researchers who are tackling mechanisms linked to suicide and cell proliferation and the development of medication to treat hormone-dependent cancers.

Extensive research is under way in Canada on solar energy, lithium batteries and fuel cells. Different symposia focus on the latest advances in the field in the country.

• 00675 Research and Development of Dye‐sensitized Solar Cells at Center for Molecular Devices
• 00664 Can Lithium‐Ion Batteries Operate for Over 30 Years?
• 00665 Inorganic Nanostructured Materials for Large Scale Energy Storage
• 00688 PEM Fuel Cell Membrane Durability Considerations and Approaches

This symposium presents industrial, medical and agricultural applications for new nanoparticles and nanomaterials developed in Canada.

• 00918 DNA Aptamer Nanotechnology for Agricultural Applications
• 00901 Polymer Nanoparticle Encapsulation for Delivery of Active Ingredients
• 00882 Towards Industrialization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The use of nanoparticles in chemical processes, everyday consumer products and the biomedical field has encouraged researchers to better understand their impact on the environment. The "Toxicity and Mobility of Nanomaterials in the Environment" symposium sheds light on the impact of nanoparticles on animals and plants, their interaction with soil and inorganic matter, and the need to develop tools to detect nanoparticles.

• 00859 Disturbing Communities: An Analysis of the Effects of Metal Nanoparticles on an Arctic Soil
• 00853 Determining the Dose‐metric and the Need for More Inter‐disciplinary Research in Nanotoxicology
• 00856 Size Distribution and Environmental Fate of Engineered Nanoparticles Under Aquatic Conditions

The "Green Materials: Formulation, Fabrication and Processing" symposium highlights the development of green materials in Canada, including nanocrystalline cellulose, bioplastics and biocomposites.

Roger Tsien of the University of California at San Diego will give a lecture entitled "Building molecules to image electric fields and disease processes" on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 11:20 a.m. in Room 517D.