Synergy in Science Shines Spotlight on Local Research

By Jocelyn Uhl

Synergy in Pittsburgh’s scientific community will be the focus of the University of Pittsburgh’s second annual celebration of science and research, Science2002—Synergy in Science, held Sept. 18-20 on the Pitt campus.

Presentations by Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University faculty will demonstrate the powerful effect that collaboration among universities and industries has had on economic and scientific advances.

Local research will be featured in the following Spotlight Sessions; all will be held in Pitt’s Alumni Hall.

• Responding to the Threat of Bioterrorism, 2 p.m. Sept. 18—In the shadow of the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, researchers will demonstrate what is being done in Pittsburgh to help the U.S. counteract the threat of terrorism.

Topics include early surveillance-based detection of bioattacks, active surveillance using free-text analysis, and rapid identification and drug susceptibility testing of microbes.

• Chemistry of Nitric Oxide, 2 p.m. Sept. 18—In 1998, researchers won the Nobel Prize for their discoveries about how nitric oxide (NO) works as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.

University of Pittsburgh researchers will discuss their extensions of this research, including the use of gene therapy to increase the effects of NO in the cardiovascular system to improve the outcomes of angioplasty and bypass surgery, the regulation of the human iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) gene, and the importance of NO in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Robots and Other Cool Gadgets, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19—Researchers will explain and demonstrate large-scale mobile robots; brain-controlled prosthetics; and the use of biometrics for identifying people from video on the basis of individual features, facial expressions, and body motions.

• The Shifting Sands of Scientific Consensus in Clinical Research, 2 p.m. Sept. 19—Researchers from Pitt will discuss current controversies in research, including interferon treatment for melanoma, hormone replacement therapy, and issues in clinical research regulations.

• Mining Monster Databases, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18—Researchers will demonstrate the many, and often unexpected, uses of large-scale databases and sophisticated data analysis and manipulation techniques, including the delivery of medical image data, investigation of the formation and evolution of galaxies, and DNA data analysis of brain disorders.

• Regenerative Medicine, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18—Presenters will demonstrate how local researchers are positioning themselves at the forefront of this emerging field by investigating tissue engineering from its beginnings through its clinical application.

Specific topics include constructing biodegradable scaffolds for cardiovascular tissue engineering, neurotransplantation, and options for bone tissue engineering.

• Genetic Linkage and Genomic Evaluation, 2 p.m. Sept. 18—In the past 20 years, the world’s knowledge of genetics has grown exponentially and offered many new possibilities in genomic research. Researchers will discuss the constraints on gene transfer in bacteria, validating gene clusters, and linkage mapping of complex human diseases.

• Modeling Complex Dynamic Systems, 2 p.m. Sept. 19—Researchers will discuss how they are creating and using models to understand and investigate complex organic and inorganic systems, from human cells to water molecules to polymers.

In addition to offering Spotlight Sessions, Science2002 will feature internationally renowned scientists who will give the Dickson Prize Lecture, the Mellon Lecture, and the Klaus Hofmann Lecture.

The work of local scientists and businesses will be displayed as part of poster presentations and a trade show.

Social activities will include a “first look” jazz brunch featuring University-derived technologies and a Science as Art exhibition and reception.

Also, Spinout Sessions, a new feature this year, will present the science behind some of the emerging and established biotech and engineering companies in the Pittsburgh region.

Admission to Science2002 is free; those who wish to participate may register at www.Science2002.pitt.edu.