American Chemical Society meets August 26-30 in Chicago

The world's largest scientific society expects approximately 10,000 scientists to attend its meeting. More than 6,000 papers have been submitted for presentation at the 600 technical sessions, all of which will be held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, North and South, and in its Lakeside Center, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive.

A major topic at the meeting will be how food relates to health benefits and disease prevention. In a five-day symposium on "Nutrigenomics," researchers will discuss how a person's genetic code can be used to make nutritional decisions that could affect the prevention and control of diseases. Additional research will explore how diet may play a role in reducing the risk of gender-related diseases such as breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.

Another symposium, "Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Food Supply," will address controversies in biotechnology, including government policy and regulation.

In addition to the scientific research, the American Chemical Society plans several events focusing on science education, career development and chemistry's contributions to society's progress in the last 125 years.

A special panel entitled "Diversity in the Top 50 Universities: The Challenge to Lead" will examine why women and some minorities are not represented equally on chemistry faculties at the top 50 ranked universities for chemistry. Experts from six major universities, including Purdue, Cornell and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will participate. Additionally, several workshops will be devoted to career development and to enlivening the teaching of chemistry in the classroom. Other symposia and topics on the Chicago program are:

• Minority-Owned Small Chemical Businesses - Forum for minority chemists offering support and practical advice in starting a small business. Speakers include government officials, business leaders and minority entrepreneurs;
• Chemistry and the flavor of nutritional beverages including, the risks and benefits of herbal drinks and herbal foods;
• Recent advances in fuel cells and fuel processes that emphasize clean transport systems of the future;
• Chemical contaminants affecting the air, land and water in the Great Lakes region;
• The role of DNA and protein damage in diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's;
• Novel approaches for treating psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia; and
• The physical chemistry of gas-particle interactions, including the problems aerosols present in climate, atmospheric changes, and human health.