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Credit: American Chemical Society

Abstract:
Providing patients with faster diagnoses for influenza and other respiratory infections and new tests that improve care for heart disease is among the topics in the latest episode of the 2012 edition of a popular video series from the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society. The videos are available at www.acs.org/PrizedScience and on DVD.

The future of diagnosing disease: New American Chemical Society Prized Science video

Washington, DC | Posted on September 18th, 2012

Titled Prized Science: How the Science Behind American Chemical Society Awards Impacts Your Life, the second episode of the 2012 series features the research of Chad Mirkin, Ph.D., winner of the 2012 ACS Award for Creative Invention. He is a professor at Northwestern University. The award recognizes Mirkin's research, which has provided patients with faster diagnoses for influenza and other respiratory infections and new tests that improve care for heart disease. The diagnostic devices use so-called nanoparticles—small pieces of gold so small that 10 could fit across the width of a human hair. The nanoparticles have a shell of DNA on them and that helps them make accurate and specific diagnoses. The devices are cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are currently used in hospitals around the world.

The premiere episode of Prized Science featured Robert Langer, Sc.D., winner of the 2012 ACS Priestley Medal. The video explains Langer's pioneering work making body tissues in the lab by growing cells on special pieces of plastic. Langer's team has used the approach to make skin for burn patients, for instance, with the goal of eventually making whole organs for transplantation.

Upcoming episodes feature:

• Vicki Grassian, Ph.D.: ACS Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology
• Diane Bunce, Ph.D.: George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education
• Peter Wolynes, Ph.D.: ACS Award in Theoretical Chemistry

ACS encourages educators, schools, museums, science centers, news organizations and others to embed links to Prized Science on their websites. The videos discuss scientific research in non-technical language for general audiences. New episodes in the series, which focuses on ACS' 2012 national award recipients, will be issued periodically.

The 2012 edition of Prized Science is completely refreshed, with a new look and feel, with renowned scientists telling the story of their own research and its impact and potential impact on everyday life. Colorful graphics and images visually explain the award recipient's research.

The ACS administers more than 60 national awards to honor accomplishments in chemistry and service to chemistry. The nomination process involves submission of forms, with winners selected by a committee consisting of ACS members who typically are technical experts in the nominee's specific field of research.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 164,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

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American Chemical Society
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Michael Bernstein
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Michael Woods
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