SBE
September 2011
 
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  • Researchers have identified a set of proteins in the blood that change in abundance long before an aggressive form of breast cancer is clinically detectable, using a systems biology approach that explores the complex interactions between healthy and cancerous cells by tracking multiple biomarkers – genes and proteins - simultaneously.
    http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/center_news/online/2011/08/kemp_her.html

  • A genetically modified virus has been shown to selectively treat cancer cells in human subjects. The virus can be delivered as an injection and promises to revolutionize the treatment of patients with cancer. The biologists developing the drug hope to begin treatment of liver, colorectal, and other cancer types after clinical trials.
    http://www.jennerex.com/pr_083111.html

  • A development by engineers exploits the ability to run a metabolic pathway used by cells to break fatty acids apart in reverse to produce biofuels from glucose. Researchers reversed the beta oxidation cycle to produce butanol, but are looking into modifying the pathway to produce other types of chemicals as well.
    http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=16031

  • An accidental development shows that biofuel degradation mechanisms can be modeled computationally to explore the toxicity of emissions. Biofuels can be optimized theoretically before synthesis is required to channel research efforts on safer molecules.
    http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-07/uoc-ccs072911.php

  • Five new induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) lines have been created, which display most of the same properties as embryonic stem cells, from skin cells. Research is still being conducted to explore the differences between the two cell lines.
    http://ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=8490

  • Engineers have created an inexpensive and environmentally friendly sensor that can quickly detect heavy metals in humans. The "lab-on-a-chip" sensor is expected to have large-scale applications in clinical, industrial, and research settings. The new sensor also requires a single drop of blood, whereas the previous methods required five milliliters.
    http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=13977
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SBE's Conference on Electrofuels Research; November 6-9, 2011 - Providence, RI; Call for Papers - July 15 to September 15, 2011
 
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Upcoming Webinars! SBE will host webinars by Dane Wittrup on September 26 and Doug Clark on October 5th! Webinars will focus on tumor targeting and biofuels. Be sure to check out these incredible webinars from some of the field's leading experts!
 
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The AIChE Annual Meeting is right around the corner! Register now and be sure to check out SBE's events:
• James E. Bailey Lecture by Chaitan Khosla on October 18th at 6:00 pm
• 2011 Bio Symposium: 20 years of Metabolic Engineering: Foundations of a Bio-based Economy on October 17th at 3:15 pm
• Hospitality Suite — sponsored by Pfizer on October 18th at 9:00 pm
• Biological Engineering Poster Reception — Co-sponsored by Division 15 on October 19th at 6:00 pm
 
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The Call for Nominations for the 2012 National Science Board Honor Awards is now open! The National Science Board (NSB) is seeking nominations for its 2012 Vannevar Bush Award and its 2012 Public Service Award. Nominations are due by Wednesday, November 2, 2011.
 
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Sustainability in (Bio)Pharmaceuticals February 19-22, 2012 - San Juan, Puerto Rico - The Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel Submit a Paper Today - CfP runs from June 1 to October 31, 2011
 
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The Call for Papers for SBE's Conference on Electrofuels Research is now open. The conference will be held this November 6-9, 2011 at the Biltmore in Providence, RI. The objective of the conference is to develop an entirely new paradigm for the production of liquid fuels that could overcome the challenges associated with current technologies.
 
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The Call for Papers for SBE's Sustainability in (Bio)Pharmaceuticals conference to be held February 19-22, 2012 in San Juan is now open. The meeting will cover Material Selection and Material Efficiency, Making Multi-Use vs Single-Use Process Decisions, Greening Manufacturing Processes, and Sustainable Approaches to Product Delivery from Lab to Patient. This conference is co-organized by the Institute for Sustainability (IFS).
 
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Save the Date for SBE's Third International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering to be held April 29 – May 2, 2012 in Downtown Seattle, WA. The conference will bring together engineers, biologists, and clinicians who are working on cellular therapies in order to accelerate progress towards designing the stem cell and its environment. This conference is co-organized by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).
 
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SBE's 3rd International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering April 29 – May 2, 2012 - Seattle, WA - The Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Seattle - Call for Papers Now Open from July 1 to December 31, 2011
 
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Attending the AIChE Annual Meeting? Don't forget to stop by SBE's events including:
• Graduate Student Fair
• Student Career Workshop
• Best Biological Reaction Award at the Chem-E-Car Competition
 
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Looking for a job? Be sure to check out SBE's Job Boards if you're looking for great jobs in the biological engineering industry.
 
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Thinking about starting an SBE Student Chapter this fall? Email Derek Lapiska at derel@aiche.org for more information.
 
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SBE's e-Connections is edited by Adrian Andrew Fay, Web Science Editor, with input from SBE staff. Contact us at bio@aiche.org.
 
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Not a current SBE member? It's never too late to join or renew. Costs are $75 for regular members, $25 for graduate students, $10 for AIChE, ACS and IBE members, or free for undergraduates. Join now at http://www.aiche.org/apps/ecommerce/bio/index.asp.

Member benefits include:
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 Subscription to SBE's semi-annual BioSupplement to Chemical Engineering Progress.
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 Discounts on leading biological engineering conferences including SBE and SBE cosponsored meetings and courses.
•
 Access to online membership directory.
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 A voice in education, employment and technology advancement topics.
 
 
The Society for Biological Engineering (SBE) is a new technological community of AIChE
Its mission is to promote the integration of biology with engineering and realize its benefits
through bioprocessing, biomedical, and biomolecular applications.
For comments and contributions to SBE Connections, email bio@aiche.org.

AIChE © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers