Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Expanded Applications in Bioscience and Open Vessel Reactions Highlight 5th International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference

Home > Press > Expanded Applications in Bioscience and Open Vessel Reactions Highlight 5th International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference

Dr. Michael Collins, CEO of CEM Corp., and Keynote Speaker Prof. Steven V. Ley of the Univ. of Cambridge (UK) at the 5th International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference. (Photo: Business Wire)

Abstract:
New research in bioscience applications and the expanded use of microwave-assisted open vessel reactions highlighted the 5th International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference. The conference, which was held April 18-20, 2007 at Imperial College in London, was the largest to date with 250 attendees and more than 40 poster presentations.

Expanded Applications in Bioscience and Open Vessel Reactions Highlight 5th International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference

MATTHEWS, NC | Posted on May 29th, 2007

Though initially thought to be an energy source that was too hot for bioscience applications, microwave energy with simultaneous cooling is proving to be extremely valuable for producing higher yields and better results much faster than conventional methods. Several speakers presented new research on the use of microwave energy to decrease reaction times for peptide synthesis, protein hydrolysis, and enzymatic digestions, as well as enabling new approaches in glycoconjugate synthesis, protein labeling, protein folding, and biocatalysis. A new 96-well plate, specifically designed for use in microwave-assisted bioscience applications was also discussed. This new hardware breakthrough will allow researchers to use microwave energy in a standard format to assist in applications that currently require high throughput such as protein binding experiments, enzymatic digestions, cell-based assay studies, and antigen-antibody studies.

"The quality of the research presented this year was absolutely outstanding," said Michael J. Collins, president and CEO of CEM Corporation, "and the work being pursued in biomolecular applications has long-term benefits for bioscience research, and ultimately, new biopharmaceuticals. It is quite amazing to see how rapidly the technology is advancing into these important new areas of science."

The Keynote presentation was given by Professor Steven V. Ley, CBE FRS, of the University of Cambridge, who is renowned for his work in organic chemistry and the discovery of new synthetic methods. Ley who has been a proponent of microwave synthesis for years, calls it a "strategically important process" for chemistry. The truth of that description was evident throughout the rest of the conference as other speakers presented research using microwave energy in medicinal chemistry, polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and proteomics.

The expanded use of single-mode microwave systems for open vessel/atmospheric reactions was also a topic of discussion. Though the systems are mainly used for pressurized reactions, chemists are discovering that they can also perform atmospheric reactions and reap the same benefits of speed, improved selectivity and better yields achieved under pressurized conditions.

####

About CEM Corporation
CEM Corporation, a private company based in Matthews, North Carolina, is a leading global provider of microwave laboratory instrumentation. The Company has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France, as well as a global network of distributors. CEM designs and manufactures systems for bioscience applications, chemical synthesis, analytical laboratories and compositional testing. The Company’s products are used for scientific research and in many industries including pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, environmental, and food processing.

The International Microwaves in Chemistry Conference is the premier symposium for the discussion of the latest research using microwave technology in various fields of chemistry and science. The conference brings together chemists and scientists from both industry and academia in an open forum to discuss the latest advances in microwave-assisted chemistry. The 2008 conference will be hosted by Professor Stephen L. Buchwald of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the spring in Cambridge, MA. Details will be posted on the conference website as they become available, please visit http://www.cem.com/micc/ .

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
CEM Corporation
Michael Collins, PhD, President & CEO, 704-821-7015

or
Michelle Horn, Marketing Manager, 704-821-7015, ext. 220

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark: