Serving the chemical, life sciences, and laboratory worlds
VOLUME 90, NUMBER 27 JULY 2, 2012
GOVERNMENT & POLICY
COVER STORY
19 CONCENTRATES 20 THE FUTURE OF SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
FACTS AND FIGURES
Through meetings and contests, researchers in the growing field tackle security, intellectual property, and other challenges.
Many chemical firms saw profits amid economic uncertainty in 2011, but production data were less encouraging. PAGE 37 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “EPA is not required to re-prove the existence of the atom every time it approaches a scientific question.” U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT PAGE 19
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
22 CONCENTRATES 24 CORRUPT PROTEINS
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NEWS OF THE WEEK ROCHE TO LEAVE NEW JERSEY
Closing Nutley site means 1,000 jobs lost, continued exit of big pharma from the state.
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CHEMICAL ACTIVITY BAROMETER
Economic index based on chemical industry measures is predictive of the overall economy, American Chemistry Council says.
Studies show that misfolded proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease act like prions, sparking debate over health risks. WHAT’S THAT STUFF?
Deodorants and antiperspirants have kept us smelling our best for more than a century.
EDUCATION FUNDING PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION
Despite growing enrollment, public universities face dwindling state support, seek alternative fundingmechanisms.
LAB-BUILT BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
Stem cells coaxed into forming the biological shield could prove useful for drug studies. EASING META SUBSTITUTION
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C–H activation via nitrile templates selectively yields meta-substituted aromatic rings. FDA USER FEE PROGRAMS RENEWED
Congress passes legislation allowing agency to continue charging for drug, device reviews. GREEN-BUILDING-CODE SKEPTICS
Proposed standards for the government irk some in Congress, the chemical industry. CLARIANT ACTS TO REFOCUS
Divesting three businesses is part of a strategy to increase profits, decrease market risks. EXPLAINING BLAND TOMATOES
Gene mutation that yields uniform color interrupts formation of flavor and aroma, researchers find.
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BUDGET CRUNCH IN CALIFORNIA
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MARYE ANNE FOX
GENOMICS OF WHITE ROT FUNGI
Comparative study of lignin-decaying organisms’ enzymes could open new avenues to biofuels.
BUSINESS CONCENTRATES FINE CHEMICALS FIGHT ECONOMIC SLUMP
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Chemistry departments face decreasing budgets but increasing demand for classes. C&EN talks with the outgoing UC San Diego chancellor as she reflects on her career.
THE DEPARTMENTS LETTERS EDITOR’S PAGE AWARDS
76 ACS CAREER TIPS 76 CLASSIFIEDS 80 NEWSCRIPTS
Chemspec Europe attendees report slow but steady progress in a protracted downturn. BIOBASED MATERIALS STEP UP
Roquette creates line of plant-derived products to compete with those derived from petrochemicals.
COVER:Shutterstock/Yang H. Ku/C&EN
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