NEWS
1994 Waters Symposium Proposals Proposals are solicited for the 1994 James L. Waters Annual Symposium, which will recognize the collaborative work of groups involved in the invention, development, and implementation of analytical instrumentation of established exceptional importance. Previous symposia have covered GC, atomic absorption spectrometry, and IR spectrometry; this year's symposium will be on NMR spectroscopy. Proposals should include recommendations for the analytical instrumentation to be recognized as well as names of inventors, entrepreneurs producing and marketing commercial instruments, and additional researchers at the forefront of the technology. Proposals should also recommend speakers who can authoritatively address the invention, production, and use of the instrumentation. Proposals should be submitted by April 30 to Chair, Waters Symposium Committee, Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Conference Office, Suite 332, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5503. Proposals for the 1995 symposium are also being accepted.
EAS Awards Nominations The Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) requests nominations for the 1994 awards in the fields of analytical chemistry, near-IR spectroscopy, separation sciences, and magnetic resonance. Each award recognizes an individual who has helped to shape these respective fields. Each award winner will be presented with a plaque at the 1994 annual meeting, which will be held Nov. 14-18 in Somerset, NJ. In addition, the winner of the Award for Achievements in the Fields of Analytical Chemistry will receive a $1000 honorarium; other award winners will receive $500 each. Nominations, consisting of a biographical sketch and a letter specifying the nominee's accomplishments, should be sent to Chair, EAS Awards Committee, P.O. Box 633, Montchanin, DE 19710-0633. Nominations are held active for three years. Deadline is Sept. 30.
prove upon the current system. GBA is based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Horse chromosomes, like human chromosomes, occur in pairs. A nucleotide at a particular site on one chromosome of a pair has a corresponding nucleotide on the other chromosome. The corresponding nucleotides may be identical or different, because each one is inherited from a different parent. If a foal's nucleotides at the two corresponding sites on a particular chromosome match one or both nucleotides at the same corresponding sites of the (supposed) parents, that horse is likely to be one of the foal's parents. The test developed by Molecular Tool checks 20 different sites. The greater the number of nucleotide matches, the more likely that animal is indeed the foal's parent. The test verifies to a probability of 97% the identity of the foal's parents. The financial backing of the horse racing industry was critical to GBA development. Once the technique proved effective for horses, it was only natural that it should be extended to humans. Working with The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes, Molecular Tool is using GBA for human chromosomes. Researchers are designing tests that can identify individuals who have genetic diseases, with a goal of doing 50,000 tests per year. Because GBA promises to be quick, accurate, easily automated, and inexpensive, the company hopes that this biotechnological advance will be able to contribute to lowering medical costs.
1994 Bomem-Michelson Award Nominations are sought for the Bomem—Michelson Award, which is given annually at the Pittsburgh Conference to a scientist who has advanced the techniques of vibrational, molecular, Raman, or electronic spectroscopy. Contributions may be theoretical or experimental. The award consists of a medal and an honorarium. Nominees must be at least 37 years of age and actively working in the fields mentioned above. Nominating and seconding letters, a curriculum vitae, and descriptions of specific research efforts should be sent to David Cameron, BP Research, 4440 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128. Deadline is May 1.
Genetic Bit Analysis for Horses and Humans
For Your Information
When purchasing a race horse, the potential owner has a keen interest in the animal's bloodlines—who an animal's parents are determines not only the price of the horse, but whether the animal "has it in 'im" to be worth the investment of time and money. Breeding records, blood tests, and markings are part of the system currently used for determining a horse's parentage. These methods can be expensive and complicated, and they are not always conclusive. Scientists at Molecular Tool, a biotechnology company in Baltimore, MD, have developed a technique called genetic bit analysis (GBA) for the horse racing industry as a way to im-
NIST is making available its first set of certified soil standard reference materials. Three different soil samples are certified for baseline, moderate, and high levels of trace elements monitored by the EPA. Laboratories will be able to assess the actual percentages of toxic chemicals recovered by their own methods. Commercial reference material producers will also be able to evaluate the quality of their products. The reference materials (SRMs 2709, 2710, and 2711) cost $193 each. To purchase, contact NIST, Standard Reference Materials Program, Rm. 205, Bldg. 202, Gaithersburg, MD 208990001 (301-975-6776; fax 301-948-4403). ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 65, NO. 7, APRIL 1, 1993 · 343 A
