MassMEDIC News


		July 2006

Mission Statement
How to Join
Board of Directors

Sustaining
Primary
Associate
Affiliate

Polymers in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals
A Symposium Connecting Academic Research with Industry Needs

October 3, 2006
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Conte Center for Polymer Research

On October 3rd industry and academia will come together at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to assess possible technology in polymers to be used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Although tremendous advances in the diagnostics of various diseases have been made, the development and implementation of polymers tailored for modern medical applications has been slow and further advances are needed. The scientists participating in this symposium bring a strong polymeric materials perspective for various biomedical applications, with fundamental and applied research that focuses on improving the efficiency and durability of medical devices, detection assays, as well as the stability of drug delivery rates.

This event is the first in a series of symposia hosted by the Polymer Science & Engineering (PSE) Department at UMass Amherst and is designed to facilitate collaboration among academic and industry researchers. Topics addressed at the symposium include:

- Advances in materials research and its impact on health related issues
- Development of new characterization techniques
- Protein absorption/ interfacial phenomenon
- Characterization of drug release mechanisms
- Synthesis of new materials for biological applications
- New design strategies for sensors and diagnostics
- New biomaterial interfaces for drug delivery and tissue scaffolding

Ranked 1st in the nation by US News and World Report, the PSE department and the Center for UMass-Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP) maintain a strong tradition of industrial collaboration focused on key areas of science and technology, including nanotechnology, biomedical technology and green technology. The symposium is part of a three day program that includes tours of the $24 million state-of-the-art Conte Center for Polymer Research, presentations regarding other applications of polymers and research associated with the National Science Foundation supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), a $12 million grant centered on polymer research.

For more information and event registration visit www.pse.umass.edu/