The 6th through 10th Annual BioNanoTox and Applications Research Conference
Abstract
Advances in nanotechnology offer intriguing opportunities in all scientific fields. While most nanoscience efforts
have focused on applications, the implications of nano on health and environment lag behind. It is crucial that the
academia, industry, government, environmentalists, and scientists address the implications of this specialized area
of science in a cohesive and concerted manner. It has been recognized that a comprehensive study of
nanotechnology requires a multi-disciplinary approach and a coordinated effort of various scientific, medical, and
government agencies. One of the hurdles is to create an infrastructure allowing such coordinated activity to occur.
For that reason, annual conferences involving professionals from a variety of fields are a vital component of such
infrastructure.
BioNanoTox (Biology, Nanotechnology, and Toxicology) is a field encompassing disciplines where novel
applications invariably emerged positively impacting human health. BioNanoTox offers such a multi-disciplinary
approach that raises the awareness of undesirable side effects emanating from cherished nanotechnology and puts
the safety of humans, animals, plants, and the environment into a new perspective. The overall BioNanoTox
conference's mission is to disseminate scientific knowledge and advance public health by assisting to hasten
innovations through spin-offs from their most recent research.
This proposal is intended for partial financial support for a multi-year project period, up to 5 years, for
permanently sponsored "BioNanoTox (Biology, Nanotechnology, and Toxicology) and Applications Research
Conference" held annually in November 2011 through 2015.The proposed conference will deepen our
understanding of the interdisciplinary approach between disciplines such as biology, chemistry, bioinformatics,
toxicology, nanotechnology, environmental and agricultural sciences to name a few.
BioNanoTox conference would be of genuine interest to the National Center for Toxicological Research
(NCTR), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and any group dealing with biologics, nanobiologics, and nano-based
materials within the NCTR and FDA, industry, and academia.
BioNanoTox conferences are aimed at strengthening training and education, fostering collaborations, and
initiating new research. These will also raise students' awareness of a global interdisciplinary approach in nano-
research. To address this, the specific aims are as follows: 1) to bring together U.S. and foreign speakers as well
as participants regardless of their gender and race from multiple disciplines, 2) to encourage women, minorities,
and persons with disabilities to participate. Announcements are posted on the BioNanoTox and other websites, 3)
to provide training experience for undergraduate / graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and young investigators
in the areas relevant to the BioNanoTox. Individuals are encouraged to submit abstracts for brief talks and poster
sessions as well as research articles, and 4) to disseminate information generated during the conferences through
presentations and scientific publications.