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1. March 2010 by admin.
A paper about the research is featured in the current issue of Nature Nanotechnology. “Engineered biological nanofactories trigger quorum sensing response in targeted bacteria,” was authored by Clark School alumnus Rohan Fernandes (Ph.D. ‘08, bioengineering), graduate student Varnika Roy (molecular and cell biology), graduate student Hsuan-Chen Wu (bioengineering), and their advisor, William Bentley (professor and chair, Fischell Department of Bioengineering).
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1. March 2010 by admin.
Environmental and Health Impacts of Engineered Nanomaterials
Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology 4th Annual Symposium
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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1. March 2010 by admin.
Health and safety concerns coming from technicians within the industry as well as consumers from without are regrouping to come up with improved protocols to deal with nanotoxicity. In the fall of 2009, members from various branches of government experimenting with nanomaterials, met for the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s review on health policies.
These discussions are culminating in the drafting of the Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010. The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office will be meeting with members of the public on March 30th & 31st 2010 in Arlington, Va to ” “to provide an open forum to discuss the state-of-the-art of the science related to environmental, health, and safety aspects of nanomaterials in two areas: Risk Management Methods and Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of Nanotechnology.” For more information check out this notice of a public meeting.
For more things Nano and how they connect to Marylander’s check out:
John Hopkins University’s Institute for Nanobiotechnology
or
Maryland Nanocenter at the University of Maryland College Park
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1. March 2010 by admin.
This program interface offers alot more functionality then some of the features through the webbuilder gui. This will be the main area for our discussion I think, if I can set the user permissions appropriately.
Lots of room to build off of.
I wrote Dr. Dan Morhaim, the Pikesville area representative last night to find out more about his program to develop extensive outreach within the education community in regard to the life sciences. He and I share a similar viewpoint in noticing the absolute necessity for Maryland to invest in these technologies and human assets. The time to do so is now, we cannot afford to wait any longer as the window of advancement is so fast paced as to offer even more severe imbalances societally then we have ever seen in comparison with say the technological divide of folks that are computer literate and those who are not. I am contacting Dan in regards to how the BioMore DIY-Bio community might be able to outreach with the local educational resources.
In other news, I need to contact Randy and Meagan @ iGEM to find out more about who we should discuss health and safety concerns in regards to any social public labspace, should we build a wetlab at Hanover or elsewhere. In some of the video footage between the folks at MIT and the local DIY crew in Boston, I saw discussion of how various components of the government are working hand in hand to assist the process. The hopes are to prevent any misunderstanding that might lead to the largescale destruction of equipment resources due to a misplaced raid on the part of the DEA/ATF/HLS. An elderly retiree in Northern Virginia, decided to recreate some of Newton’s early alchemical explorations with his retirement nest-egg, only to have the entirety of his uniquely commissioned glassware and equipment destroyed by DEA looking for a Meth lab.
In several instances in the past well-meaning amateur scientists and citizens have had there lives savings destroyed in a matter of minutes by misinformed figures of authority. A clear channel of communication established from the foundation with the regulatory agencies at hand can help guide this process.
Here’s a link to an earlier wired special about setting up a small space for basic DIY-Chemistry Lab.
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Dr. Dan is also spearheading the initiative to change legislation to support the patients who utilize medical marijuana. As a Doctor he wants the medical practitioners to utilize their expertise and judgement to prescribe cannabis just like they would any other drug which currently regulated. There would be fines against the practitioners for abuse just as there would if they were handing out oxycontins, methadone, cocaine, or any other all readily available controlled substance.
Maryland law will presently incarcerate anyone possessing Cannabis for any use. If at the time of their hearing they can prove that they are using the substance with the knowledge and approval of their Dr. then they can be fined a maximum of $100. Still the costs and effects of legal involvements are heavy in many other social ways.
Cannabis in it’s many forms is a wonder plant. Multiple medical commissions have been drawn and found time and time again that the plant is benign, and in fact quite useful for many textile, biomass, medical compounds, subjective pains and social components. It relieves stress, and discomfort while assisting with digestive nausea and is quite comforting to many who may be going through various treatments like chemotherapy for issues from AIDS, Cancer and depression. In ONE study there was a lack of brain directional orientation in immature rats that were given huge amounts in a short period of time as they were still developing Goodluck Dan you’ve got my vote. And if you need some biotechnologists to screen the new dispensaries for quality and contaiminants, maybe we can create a little start-up company for the job. This little plant has a history of thousands of years working hand in hand with culture and community worldwide and its outlaw status has made it a darling of aspiring botanical geneticists.
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