Biotechnology for Health and Wellness will be the central theme of the 234th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston Aug. 19-23, where more than 9,500 presentations also will describe new discoveries in chemistry dealing with the environment, energy, nutrition, nanotechnology and other topics.

Overall, more than 16,000 scientists and others are expected to attend the scientific extravaganza that will take place in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and at numerous hotels across the city.

With more than 160,000 members, the American Chemical Society is the worlds largest scientific society.

A highlight of the meeting will occur Sunday, Aug. 19, when Catherine T. Hunt, Ph.D., ACS President, hosts a keynote symposium at which noted scientists will discuss challenges and opportunities for commercialization of new discoveries in biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Media registration is now available at http://chemistry.org/news/acs_media_registration.html, and for general information about the meeting go to http://chemistry.org/meetings/boston2007.

Other noteworthy meeting topics include:

• Advances in bio-based nanostructures and nanomaterials

• New research on nutraceuticals

• Acrylamide in the food supply

• Nano-biochemistry and technology

• New approaches to the treatment of Alzheimers disease

• Engineering stem cells

• Nanoscience and nanotechnology for chemical and biological defense

• New drugs based on RNA interference technology

• Using nanomaterials in medical imaging and drug delivery

• Antifreeze proteins

• New approaches for preventing and treating obesity

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