EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON
cr C!' chemistry
ASSOClATE EDITORS: Klaus Biemann, Georges Guiochon, Theodore Kuwana, Fred Lytle
EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editors: Stuart A. Borman, Rani A. George, Louise Voress Assistant Editor: Mary D. Warner Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director; Alan Kahan Designer: Sharon Harris Wolfgang Production Editor: Gail M. Mortenson Circulation: Cynthia G. Smith Editorial Assistant. LabGuide: Joanne Mullican Journals Dept., Columbus, Ohio Associate Head: Marianne Brogan Assocmte Editor; Rodney L. Temos Advisory Board: Shier S. Berrnan, Brian S. Bidlingmeyer, Henry N Blount, Gary D. Christian, Harry V. Drushel, Larry R. Faulkner, William R. Heineman, Harry 9. Hertz, Gary M. Hieftje, Atsushi Mizuike, Ern0 Pungor, Melvin W. Redmond, Jr., Martin A. Rudat, Dennis Schuetzle, Charles L. Wilkins, Nicholas Winograd Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Howard G. Barth, Richard F. Browner, Richard S.Danchik, Thomas C. Farrar, Joel M. Harris, John F. Holland, F. James Holier, Peter N. Keliher, D. Warren Vidrine. Contributing Editor, A/C Interface: Raymond E. Dessy The Analytical Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Production: Elmer Pusey, Jr. Research and Development: Lorrin R . Garson Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1986 issue, page 267. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address.
Bioanalytical Chemistry Workshop The past decade of research in biological and biomedical science has produced a number of significant and far-reaching discoveries. These include, for example, the development of recombinant DNA techniques, hybridoma methodology, and vastly improved instrumentation of all kinds. These innovations have provided both solutions and challenges for the bioanalytical chemist. There is the continuing need to isolate, identify, and quantitate components, often at trace levels, in complex biological fluids. Temporal and spatial resolution of analytes in biological media also presents a significant challenge. The development of new analytical reagents, including antibodies and enzymes with specially tailored properties, will undoubtedly open up new possibilities for bioassays. Finally the investigation of fundamental chemical and physical interactions involving biological molecules will stimulate the exploitation of methodology in such diverse disciplines as physics, biology, and computer science. A workshop on bioanalytical chemistry, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was held in Bethesda, Md., this past February with the objective of bringing together scientists with diverse backgrounds but with a common interest in applying chemical principles to the solution of bioanalytical problems. It was organized by George S. Wilson of the University of Arizona and John A. Beisler, executive secretary of the Metallobiochemistry Study Section of NIH. Lectures were presented by 13 distinguished scientists on a broad range of bioanalytical topics for the purpose of gaining insight into important developments in the various areas as well as an indication of promising avenues of development for the future. Included in the program were sessions on chromatography, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ion microscopy, as well as presentations of a more clinical nature involving labeling of biological molecules for diagnosis and therapy and free drug monitoring. This information will greatly assist the members of the Metallobiochemistry Study Section in evaluating future research proposals. Several common themes were apparent during the workshop. Careful characterization of molecules is essential. A combination of techniques is necessary to solve biomedical problems. Careful sampling and sample preparation are mandatory. Changes in the chemistry of the analyte as a result of modification of the sample, as well as differences in behavior using in vivo and in vitro methods, must be evaluated, The importance of data acquisition and processing methods cannot be overemphasized. Finally, the use of new tools such as lasers and sophisticated detectors is evident. It is important to note that a significant number of well-known analytical chemists are channeling their expertise into bioanalytical research, where there are many important and difficult biomedical problems to be solved. It is also apparent that they are having success in this new frontier of analytical chemistry.
The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 58,
NO. 6,
M A Y 1986
993
