Homeland security tops agenda at ACS national meeting in Boston

BOSTON, Aug. 18 -- Experts from government, industry and academia will explore public policy issues and cutting-edge developments in anthrax biology and ultra-sensitive tools to detect chemical and biological weapons at the 224th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, in Boston, August 18-22.

Highlights include:

Detection of chemical and biological agents -- Researchers present developments in analytical chemistry to improve homeland defense, including detection, amelioration, neutralization and protection of chemical and biological agents. Topics include advances in the detection of explosives, chemical and biological agents in the air, and pathogens in food and livestock. [ANYL 15, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2:30 p.m., Sheraton Boston Grand Ballroom and ANYL 209-213, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Sheraton Boston, Commonwealth room].

Terrorism and homeland security symposium -- The symposium, sponsored by the Society's president Eli Pearce, explores public policy issues as well as cutting-edge developments in anthrax biology and ultra-sensitive tools to detect chemical and biological weapons. Speakers include representatives from the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease Control, the White House Office of Science and Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. [TOXI 122-125, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1-5 p.m., Marriott Copley, Salons J/K].

Heroes of Chemistry -- The Society salutes nine chemists and chemical engineers as "Heroes of Chemistry" for developing commercial products that have been used to protect and secure our world. Scientists from Dupont, Solutia Inc. and DSM N.V. will be recognized for developments ranging from enhancements in bullet-resistant vests and safety glass to developing screening systems to detect pathogens in the food supply.

EMBARGOED UNTIL 1:15 p.m., THURSDAY, AUG. 22:
Compound from yeast shows promise in protecting against anthrax -- A compound from baker's yeast, used to make bread rise, may one day help protect people against deadly anthrax infections, according to researchers at Biopolymer Engineering, Inc., in Eagan, Minn. Laboratory tests showed that the compound, WGP Beta Glucan, significantly increased the survival rate of mice infected with lethal anthrax spores. With additional studies, researchers believe that the compound can be developed into a potent drug that has similar effects in humans. [CARB 99, Thursday, Aug. 22, 1:20 p.m., Sheraton Boston, Republic B].