Montreal, May 31, 2011 To mark the International Year of Chemistry, the 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Palais des congrs de Montral 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 Montral, 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:
Research on biopolymers and biomaterials
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.
Canadian chemists and cancer therapeutics
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.
The search for new energy sources
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.
This symposium presents industrial, medical and agricultural applications for new nanoparticles and nanomaterials developed in Canada.
Nanoparticles and toxicity
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.
Development of green materials
The "Green Materials: Formulation, Fabrication and Processing" symposium highlights the development of green materials in Canada, including nanocrystalline cellulose, bioplastics and biocomposites.
Plenary lecture by the recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Chemistry
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.
|Contact: Julie Gazaille|
University of Montreal