1st Nano Today Conference

Nanotechnology Experts to Speak at Inaugural Nano Today Conference in Singapore Organized by Nano Today and IBN

Conference will focus on the latest advances in nanostructured materials and systems with applications in biomedicine, chemical synthesis, energy generation and photonics

Singapore, July 30, 2009 – The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, has partnered with Nano Today, a leading nanoscience and nanotechnology journal, published by Elsevier, with an impact factor of 8.795, to organize the 1st Nano Today Conference at Biopolis, Singapore from August 3-5, 2009.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have been pushing the envelope in scientific research due to their vast potential for wide-ranging applications in fields such as electric, optical, magnetic and biomedical devices, chemical and biologics synthesis, energy generation and storage, as well as biomaterials and biomimetic systems.

Held over three days, the 1st Nano Today Conference is chaired by IBN Executive Director and Nano Today Editor-in-Chief, Professor Jackie Y. Ying. This conference will feature plenary lectures by 3 pioneers of the field, 30 invited talks by leading scientists from 26 internationally renowned institutions, as well as over 200 contributed oral and poster presentations from 33 countries. The contributed presentations were selected from over 600 abstract submissions worldwide. As the inaugural conference, this event will provide a platform for nanoscience researchers to share and discuss the latest developments in their field. Over 450 delegates will be attending the conference.

The three eminent Plenary Lecturers are:

Professor Herbert Gleiter
Senior Scientist and Institute Professor
Institute of Nanotechnology Research Center Karlsruhe, Germany
Lecture Title: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: The Key to New Studies in Other Areas of

Science and Technology

Professor C. N. R. Rao
National Research Professor, Honorary President and Linus Pauling Research Professor
Jawaharalal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, India
Lecture Title: Graphene, The New Nanocarbon

Professor David A. Tirrell
Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor and Chair, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, USA
Lecture Title: Proteins That Nature Never Made

The conference topics include:

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Thin Films and Nanocrystals/Nanoparticles
Functionalization and Size-Dependent Properties of Nanocrystals, Quantum Dots and Nanowires
Processing and Templating of Nanotubes and Nanoporous Materials
Tailoring of Polymeric Nanoparticles, Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites and Biohybrids
Design and Engineering of Structural and Functional Nanomaterials
Nanosystems for Biological, Medical, Chemical, Catalytic, Energy, Environmental, Sensing, Diagnostic, Imaging and Magnetic Applications

Please refer to the annexes for the speakers’ bios and talk abstracts. More information about the event and the speakers are available at http://www.nanotoday2009.com.

1st Nano Today Conference
August 3-5, 2009
August 3 (8.30am to 6.45pm)
August 4 (9.00am to 5.30pm)
August 5 (9.00am to 4.30pm)

Venue
Matrix @ Biopolis
30 Biopolis Street
Singapore 138671

Media Registration
If you are interested to attend the event, please email your particulars to Elena Tan at [email protected] by 5pm on Friday, July 31, 2009.

For media queries and interview requests, please contact:

Elena Tan
Phone : 65 824 7042
Email : [email protected]

Laura Lau
Phone: 65 6824 7040
Email: [email protected]

Nidyah Sani
Phone: 65 6824 7005
Email: [email protected]

Co-Organizers: Nano Today
Impact Factor 8.795
www.nanotoday2009.com

About the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) was established in 2003 as a national research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, by Executive Director, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying. Prof. Ying was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992–2005). In 2008, Professor Ying was recognized as one of "One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era" by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for her groundbreaking work on nanostructured systems, nanoporous materials and host matrices for quantum dots and wires. Under her direction, IBN conducts research at the cutting-edge of bioengineering and nanotechnology. IBN’s research programs are geared towards linking multiple disciplines across engineering, science and medicine to produce research breakthroughs that will improve healthcare and our quality of life.

IBN's research activities are focused in the following areas:

Drug and Gene Delivery, where the controlled release of therapeutics involve the use of functionalized polymers, hydrogels and biologics for targeting diseased cells and organs, and for responding to specific biological stimuli.

Cell and Tissue Engineering, where biomimicking materials, stem cell technology, microfluidic systems and bioimaging tools are combined to develop novel approaches to regenerative medicine and artificial organs.

Biosensors and Biodevices, which involve nanotechnology and microfabricated platforms for high-throughput biomarkers screening, automated biologics synthesis, and rapid disease diagnosis.

Pharmaceuticals Synthesis and Nanobiotechnology, which encompasses the efficient catalytic synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals, and new nanocomposite materials for sustainable technology and alternative energy generation.

IBN's innovative research is aimed at creating new knowledge and intellectual properties in the emerging fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology to attract top-notch researchers and business partners to Singapore. Since 2003, IBN researchers have published a total of 502 papers. IBN also plays an active role in technology transfer and spinning off companies, linking the research institute and industrial partners to other global institutions. As of June 2009, IBN has filed 714 patent applications on its inventions and the Institute is currently looking for partners for collaboration and commercialization of its portfolio of technologies. IBN's current staff strength stands at ~ 180 scientists, engineers and medical doctors. With its multinational and multidisciplinary research staff, the institute is geared towards generating new biomaterials, devices, systems, equipment and processes to boost Singapore’s economy in the fast-growing biomedical sector.

IBN is also committed to nurturing young minds, and the institute acts as a training ground for PhD students and undergraduates. In October 2003, IBN initiated a Youth Research Program to open its doors to university students, as well as students and teachers from various secondary schools and junior colleges. It has since reached out to more than 31,075 students and teachers from 205 local and overseas schools and institutions.

For more information, please log on to www.ibn.a-star.edu.sg

About Nano Today

Nano Today: An International Rapid Reviews Journal provides a peer-reviewed forum for the publication of authoritative review articles, rapid communications, news and opinions to shape and define the frontiers of nanoscience and nanotechnology through their multidisciplinary applications. Nano Today publishes six print issues per year covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nano Today is covered by Thompson Reuters Journal Citation Reports for 2007 with an impact factor of 8.795. For more information, please log on to www.nanotoday.com.