CINTACS
Newsletter of the Cincinnati Section
of The American Chemical Society
index
Volume 36 - Number 3
December 1998
Editor Ed Burton
Advertising: Jackie Hoofring
Liaison: Julia Bedell
Stuart Oehrle

CINTACS is published eight times a year (October through May) by the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society in cooperation with the Oesper Collection in the History of Chemistry of the University of Cincinnati. All changes of address should be sent to Emel Yakali at Raymond Walters College, 9555 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236; 745-5686 or 745-5767 (FAX).

Every member is urged to send in their e-mail address. The message should consist of the e-mail address in the "From" area and the full name of the member in the "Subject" area of the message format. Send this information via e-mail to: acs@ucrwcu.rwc.uc.edu

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

The submission deadline for the next (January 99) Newsletter is tentatively set for Monday, December 7, 1998.

All materials should be sent to:
Dr. Edward Burton
Procter & Gamble,
E-mail: burton.de@pg.com

In This Issue ....

  • Call for Nominations
  • Meeting Program - December 2
  • Contest
  • Speaker & topic 
  • Job Opportunity
  • Deadline for Submissions to CINTACS
  • Educational Grants

  •  
     

    Solving Chemical Problems using Fermentations and Enzymes
    or
    Going over to the Dark Side.

    Milton Zmijewski

    Synthetic organic chemists are oriented toward the synthesis of large complex natural products using long synthetic schemes. In many cases, this is as close to biology as most organic chemists come. The use of fermentation microbiology and enzymes to solve chemical problems is still in its infancy in the USA. This is largely due to the chemists’ resistance in adopting these methods via collaborations or self teaching. In the first part of the lecture, we will discuss the general principles of fermentations and enzymes. This part of the presentation will align the chemical mind toward the dark side (biology). The remainder of the lecture will consist of examples where biology has allowed very difficult chemistry to be performed or has allowed for a dramatic reduction in industrial waste. Here examples from beta-lactam chemistry and the chemistry of a central nervous system acting compound will show just how effective an interdisciplinary approach can be to solving large scale industrial problems. These same principles can be used and applied to laboratory syntheses only if the chemist will cross over to the dark side.

    About the Speaker

    Milton Zmijewski received a B.S. degree in biology from Mount St. Mary’s College and a M.S. degree in microbiology from the University of Maryland. After receiving a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Kentucky, he did a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. In 1978, he joined the faculty of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah. Milt joined Eli Lilly and Company in 1983. While at Lilly, he has worked in natural products discovery and chemical research and development. Currently, he is a Senior Research Scientist in Technical Services for biosynthetic human insulin manufacturing. Milt has also served as a Guest Faculty member of the Chemistry Department at the University of Notre Dame and is currently an Industrial Advisory Board member for the Center for Bioprocessing and Biocatalysis, a research institute associated with the University of Iowa.

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    From the Chair

    The December meeting at Xavier University will have a little something for everyone. For the two discussion groups prior to dinner Dr. Daniel Hassett will discuss communication among bacteria while Edlyn Simmons will show us how to find chemical information in the patent literature. After dinner Dr. Milton Zmijewski of the Eli Lilly Company will talk about using biology to solve difficult chemical syntheses. The evening should be an interesting one for all.

    I would like to thank all of the members who participated in National Chemistry Week demonstrations at the libraries and Museum Center. These public activities of our section are vital to providing information to the public and showing the fun that one can have with chemistry.

    At the December meeting there will also be a short Board meeting. I am asking that all Committee Chairs provide short reports of their activities to date. If you will be unable to attend, please forward to me a written report to be distributed at the meeting. Anyone who has items for the agenda should also forward those to me.

    Be sure to mark your calendars for the January meeting (January 20th). Dr. Joseph Lambert of Northwestern University will talk about using chemistry in archeological investigations and preservation of artifacts. This should prove to be a very interesting talk. He will also be giving a talk at the UC Department of Chemsitry on Thursday, January 21st. See our web page for more details.

    Sincerely,

    Jim Knittel, Chair

    College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati

    james.knittel@uc.edu

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    December Monthly Meeting

    Wednesday, December 2, 1998

    Xavier University


     
     
     
    5:30-6:30  DISCUSSION GROUPS
      Biochemistry - Room 101 Linder Hall (Physics Building) 
    Dr. Daniel Hassett, University of Cincinnati
    "Role of Quorum Sensing (bacteria talking) in the Control of Oxidative Stress Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa"
      Chemical Information - Room 1 Williams College of Business
    Edlyn Simmons, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc.
    "Chemical Information: How to Find the 70% That is Only in Patents"
      Board Meeting - President’s Board Room, 3rd floor, University Center
       
    6:00  SOCIAL HOUR - Terrace Room, 3rd floor, University Center
       
    7:00  DINNER - Cost $16.00
    Buffet Dinner Includes: Tossed Salad, Pasta Bar (Cheese Lasagna, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Fettuccine with Alfredo Sauce), Italian Green Beans, Garlic Bread, Rum Cake, Soda, Coffee, Tea, Beer and Wine
      .
    8:00 SPEAKER: Milton Zmijewski
    Solving Chemical Problems using Fermentations and Enzymes or Going over to the Dark Side

    Dinner reservations: Call the section answering line at 558-1224 or email cintacs@uc.edu. Include your name with correct spelling, affiliation, and menu choice. Reservations must be received by Monday, November 30 at 10:00 AM. If you have any difficulties, please call Donna Taylor at 558-0979. As a reminder, if you decide you must miss a meeting after you have made reservations, please call to cancel. If not, the section will have to charge you for the dinner because it will be charged for the dinner.

    Directions: From I-71. Exit at Dana Road Exit, take Dana Road west to Xavier University. The entrance to the parking area is to your right just before you come to Victory Parkway. From I-75. Exit at Mitchell Road, take Mitchell Road east, name will change to Dana Avenue approximately 1/4 mile after crossing Reading Road. Continue past Victory Parkway. The entrance to the parking area in on you left about half a block after Victory Parkway.

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    YOU MUST USE THE PARKING PASS BELOW

    ------------------------------------------Cut Here------------------------------------------

    XAVIER UNIVERSITY PARKING PASS
    AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY MEETING
    TERRACE ROOM, UNIVERSITY CENTER

    Parking Area - University Drive, Brockman Hall
    (Overflow in any lot)

    Valid on DECEMBER 2, 1998 ONLY

    This pass MUST be displayed on your dashboard.

    ------------------------------------------Cut Here------------------------------------------

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    Career Opportunities
    "Want to Leave the Lab, but Not the Science?"

    Are you a scientist wanting to leave the lab, but not the sciences? Lab Support, the nation's leading provider of science professionals on assignment, is seeking an ambitious goal-oriented individual to be an account manager in our Cincinnati office. Candidates must have a BS/BA in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Microbiology and 4-10 years of industrial experience.

    Your responsibilities will include:
    * Interviewing scientists who are available for temporary work,
    * Meeting with existing and potential customers in order to understand their staffing needs,
    *Matching the need of a client with the qualifications of an employee to create a quality assignment.
    Assignment makers possess the courage and confidence to communicate the value of a quality assignment to both the client and the employee with a sense of urgency.

    Lab Support offers an excellent salary, benefits and incentive package. Please fax or send your resume to:
    Lab Support, Recruiting, 26651 Agoura Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302. Telephone: 1-800-998-3411, ext. 3109; FAX: 1-818-878-6873

    Lab Support is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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    The Cincinnati Section of The American Chemical Society

    EDUCATIONAL GRANT APPLICATION

    DATE:_______________

    Name: _______________________________________________________________

    Organization: _______________________________________________________________

    Department: ______________________________________________________________

    Address of Organization: ______________________________________________________________

    ______________________________________________________________

    County: ____________ State:____________________________________ Zip Code:____________

    Name and Title of Official Certifying Organizational Compliance with the Grant:

    Signature ______________________________________________________________

    Name/Title (print or type) _______________________________________________________________

    ACS Member or Affiliate? ___________

    How many individuals will benefit from this grant if your proposal is funded? ___________

    Grant criteria: Funds are to be used to improve chemical education in the area served by the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society.

    Grant Proposal: The proposal should contain 300-500 words, double-spaced on official letterhead. It should describe the objective(s) of the project, how the project will be carried out, how the project would improve chemical education, how the program fits into the education program (if the applicant is from a school) and whom would benefit. Also, the proposal should contain a detailed budget which outlines expenditures, the amount being requested from the Educational Grant and the amount being requested from other sources.

    Send five (5) copies of the application and the proposal to: Ginger Tannenbaum, Fairfield High School, 8800 Holden Blvd. Fairfield, OH 45014

    Reports: Grant recipients are required to submit a report to the Committee within one year from the time of notification of the award. The report will include an outline of how the funds were used, what had been purchased, if anything, with the funds and what benefits have been derived thus far from the use of the funds.

    Acknowledgment: It is requested that the major instruments purchased with the use of these funds be tagged with the following acknowledgment: "This equipment was purchased (in part) with an Educational Grant from the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society."

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    Nominations Solicited
    Outstanding Teaching Awards

    Do you know a teacher who inspires his/her students? Fills them with a curiosity about the world of science and chemistry? The Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society is looking for these people - and honors three each year.

    The High School Chemistry Teacher of the year is awarded annually, to recognize accomplishments of those of us who teach chemistry at the secondary school level.

    The Middle School/Junior High School Science Teacher of the Year is awarded annually to honor science teaching at this level.

    The Elementary School Science Teacher of the Year is awarded for excellence in elementary teaching.

    All three awards recognize teaching ability, enthusiasm, mentoring skills, and other leadership activities. Nominees need not be members of the American Chemical Society. Generally speaking, anyone teaching in these capacities within 35 mile radius of downtown Cincinnati is eligible.

    Deadline for nominations is January 15, 1999.

    Nomination forms for each award may be requested from, and returned to:

    Henry R. Greeb
    Awards Committee Chair
    c/o Hg Consulting, Inc.
    6580 Dry Ridge Road
    Cincinnati, OH 45252-1750
    Phone: 513-385-8363
    FAX: 513-385-8888
    e-Mail:72277.706@compuserve.com

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    Contest to Continue??

    We have only had a few responses each month to the "What is it?" contest. In fact, I only received one response in May, one response in October and two responses in November. While this makes selecting a winner much easier, I am not sure that it is an efficient use of the space within Cintacs. Unless there is significant sentiment to the contrary, this will be our last contest. Please address your opinions directly to me

    Ed Burton, Editor.

    E-mail: burton.de@pg.com

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    RAYMOND WALTERS COLLEGE
    (a branch of the University of Cincinnati in Blue Ash)

    is offering the following courses:

    World of Chemistry(28-035-199-701) Winter Quarter 1999

    World of Chemistry is a survey of fundamental chemical concepts, with an emphasis on applying chemistry to contemporary activities. It is ideal for anyone in industry who could benefit from an understanding of basic chemistry. No prior science of math background is needed.

    Laboratory Safety(28-035-271-701) Spring Quarter 1999

    This course provides the necessary information to work safely in a laboratory setting. Topics include essential aspects of safety such as storage, handling, disposal, emergency equipment, MSDS, and federal regulations. A prior chemistry course is required.

      Convenient telecourse format

      Four class meetings

    Course assignments tailored to meet your company’s chemistry and safety issues

    Convenient location and free parking

    Instruction by full-time Universtiy of Cincinnati faculty

    3 undergraduate credits each

    TV and VCR are required

    For more information call Raymond Walters College, Office of Outreach and Continuing Education at 745-5776

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    Formatted and uploaded 23 November 98 by cinacs@www.che.uc.edu