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- Subject: Media Advisory - Biotechnology Briefing
- From: sherman@umbi.umd.edu
- Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 09:13:31 -0500 (EST)
- Delivery-Receipt-To: <sherman@umbi.umd.edu>
- Read-Receipt-To: <sherman@umbi.umd.edu>
MEDIA ADVISORY MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY BRIEFING MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1997 MAYFLOWER HOTEL ( WASHINGTON D.C. WHAT: A science education forum for journalists, policy-makers, industry leaders, and Congressional staff on issues and research progress in the field of marine biotechnology. Sponsored and featuring research funded by the National Sea Grant College Program, a consortium of 29-state based marine science research efforts funded through NOAA and the Department of Commerce with matching state funding. WHO: Twelve national leaders in marine biotechnology research will present the latest developments in their respective areas of research. Presentations will be grouped under three broad topical areas: 1) Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Safety; 2) Bio-Medicine and Pharmaceuticals from Marine Natural Products; and 3) Water Quality - Bioremediation and Habitat Restoration. WHY: Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has stated that biotechnology and information technology are the most important science-based technologies that will impact our lives in the 21st century. The news this week about the cloning of a sheep in Scotland maybe the most visible and sensational application of biotechnology to date, but in the marine world scientists are working a wide variety of biotechnology efforts that will significantly impact our lives - including the genetic engineering of marine organisms for medical and pharmaceutical benefits and for pollution remediation, fish for a steady food supply, and coastal plants for habitat restoration and shoreline erosion prevention. NEWS ANGLES: It is anticipated that at least one researcher in each of the three sessions will make a significant news announcement. Anticipated are announcements concerning new anti-inflammatory compounds from marine organisms that could impact possible future treatment of arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease; a report on the genetic diversity of haddock in George's Bank and the implications for the restoration of that fishery; the discovery of a polymer from oysters that enhances nutrient uptake in agricultural crops reducing chemical fertilizer pollution; and the development of a probe to detect a highly toxic algae responsible for killing millions of fish in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. FORMAT: 20-minute presentations followed immediately by 10 minutes of Q&A. Individual interviews available at end of each panel session. Press briefing book and related materials available at site. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Contact Ben Sherman, Sea Grant National Media Relations at 301-405-6381, FAX: 301-314-9187; or by E-mail at sherman@umbi.umd.edu No registration fee, but advance space registration appreciated. Reservation and $10 luncheon fee required to attend lunch session. Deadline: 12 noon Friday, February 28. PRESENTATION / SPEAKER SCHEDULE: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. --- Feeding The Future, A Look At The Future of Marine Biotechnology: Rita R. Colwell, President University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. --- Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Safety: Perry Hackett, University of Minnesota on Genetic Engineering of Fish; Irv Kornfield, University of Maine, Biodiversity of Haddock and its Future in George's Bank; Jo-Ann Leong, Oregon State University, Genetic Delivery of Vaccine for Aquacultured Fish; Ron Siebeling, Louisiana State University, Biotechnology: Vibrio Vulnificus, Cholera Detection and Prevention. 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. --- Public Policy: Who Owns The Rights to Genetic Diversity? Biodiversity and Commercial and Ethical Issues, Barry Marrs, CEO, Photosynthetic Harvest Inc. , Biotechnology Consultant to American Society of Microbiology. Luncheon Presentation. Advance Registration, $10 Lunch Fee Required. 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. --- Marine Natural Products, Pharmaceuticals and Biomedicine: William Gerwick, Oregon State University, Medicines from Marine Algae; Robert Jacobs, University of California, Santa Barbara, Anti-inflamatory Compounds from Marine Organisms; Shirley Pomponi, Harbor Branch Oceanography Institute, Anti-carcinogens from Marine Compounds; A.P. Wheeler, Clemson University, Polymers From Oysters: Applications in Agriculture and for Super Absorbents. 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. --- Water Quality, Bioremediation and Habitat Restoration: Michael Kane, University of Florida, Micropropagation of Coastal Plants for Erosion Prevention; Ralph J. Portier, Louisiana State University, Genetic Alteration of Bacteria for Environmental Pollution Cleanup; Parke Rublee, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Predicting Fish Kills: DNA Field Probes for Toxic Dinoflagelates; John Stegeman, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Contaminant Exposure and Impacts on Genetic Processes Leading to Cancer, Reproductive Failures and Developmental Abnormalities. SPACE RESERVATION FORM: FAX BACK TO 301-314-9187 NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________________ AFFILIATION: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE: ________________________ FAX: ____________________ E-MAIL: _______________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ SESSIONS ATTENDING: _____ All Three _____ Fisheries Biotechnology ______ Marine Products _______ Water Quality _____ Lunch Reservation ( Make Check Payable to "Sea Grant" ) --- 30 --- Ben Sherman, Media Relations Coordinator National Sea Grant College Program 0112 Skinner Hall, University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-7640 Phone: 301-405-6381 Fax: 301-314-9187 E-Mail: Sherman@umbi.umd.edu WWW News Media Center Site: http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/seagrantmediacenter/
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