DALLAS -- Monitoring cancer therapy and the global warming debate are among topics that will be discussed here March 29 through April 2 at the 215th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

Approximately 10,000 registrants are expected to gather at the Dallas Convention Center and several major hotels.

Selected symposia and topics of special interest include:

Inhibiting amyloid plaque in Alzheimer's disease

Radiopharmaceuticals designed to monitor cancer therapy

Naturally occurring inhibitors of HIV

Three years of NAFTA and its impact on the chemical industry

Roles and accomplishments of women and minorities in chemistry

Chemical patents related to chocolate and toys

Tributyltin compounds in the aquatic environment

Causes of smog & ozone in major world cities, such as Paris, Mexico City and Johannesburg

The role of atmospheric chemistry in the global warming debate

Beef flavor and fat composition: pasture-fed v. grain-fed cattle

Community service as a chemistry degree requirement

Self assembly of materials

Role of the contract laboratories in the development of agrochemicals

43 Award addresses, including two Nobel laureates, the inventor of Post-ItR

Notes, and an advocate for encouraging disadvantaged students into careers in the chemical sciences.

Society President Paul H. L. Walter, Ph.D., will host a presidential symposium featuring distinguished scientists who will discuss challenges for chemistry in the 21st century, including the interface of chemistry and biology and the emerging new materials of nanotechnology. A second panel will debate the future of federal support for research and development.

A chemistry exposition featuring more than 200 companies will be open free to meeting registrants and $25 for non-registrants in the Convention Center Halls D and E. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday (March 30) and Tuesday (March 31) and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday (April 1). Displays will include instruments, books, computer hardware and scientific software, and laboratory and safety equipment.

Also in the exposition area will be a pavilion sponsored by the Society's Office of Industry Relations. Among the features at the pavilion will be GM's electric car and the engineers who designed it. Other presentations include Nobel Laureate Julius Axelrod, discussing his development of Tylenol®; Ed Shadle, developer of the car that broke the land speed record, sharing insights on being a cutting edge innovator; and a brewmaster from Molson Breweries who will describe a non-traditional career in chemistry.

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Press Registration And Information

To help you in planning coverage of the 215th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Dallas, here is a summary of preliminary events, highlights and arrangements for the meeting.

Attendance--At least 10,000 scientists from the U.S. and many foreign countries are expected.

Sessions--More than 4,700 papers will be given, beginning on Sunday, March 29, and concluding Thursday afternoon April 2. Meeting sessions will be held at the Dallas Convention Center and several major hotels.

Press Room--Will be in the Convention Center, Room 202, and will be open Saturday, March 28, from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m.; Sunday through Thursday, March 29 - April 2, from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; and Friday, April 3, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The on-site phone number is 214-853-8020, and fax is 214-743-2600.

Press Registration--To pre-register, contact Sally Pecor by phone at 202/872-4451, or email at [email protected]. We will have a badge and press kit ready for you in the press room; please come by and pick them up. Badges are required for admittance to all sessions. Of course, you also may register on-site.

Media Accreditation--Any reporter, writer or editor with credentials from a verifiable newspaper, magazine, radio or TV station, wire service, syndicate or other news organization may register and receive a press badge. Freelancers must have a letter from a verifiable news organization indicating they have an assignment to cover the meeting. Freelancers who wish to cover the meeting on a speculative basis are asked to write to us on their letterhead requesting accreditation.

Any information/public relations specialist from a government agency, academic institution or science/medical-related institution (private or nonprofit) wishing to attend (but not covering the meeting as a reporter) also may register at no charge as a guest of the ACS News Service.

Publishers and representatives of sales, advertising or marketing departments of publications, broadcast outlets or other organizations are not eligible to register through the News Service. They are, of course, welcome to participate in general registration for the meeting

Media Facilities: Computers, typewriters, telephones, copy machine, and a fax machine will be provided.

Press Conferences--Will be scheduled, if warranted.
Research Papers--Abstract books summarizing all papers will be available in the Press Room. There will also be selected full papers available.
Private Interviews--Our staff will be happy to help you arrange interviews with any of the meeting participants. We also can suggest additional story ideas.

A nonprofit organization with a membership of more than 155,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.