Royal Society of Chemistry Conference at LAB INNOVATIONS Unveiled

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is bringing together leading experts in chromatography, biopharmaceuticals and environmental forensics, lab health and safety plus career development specialists to speak at a special conference at easyFairs LAB INNOVATIONS on 7 & 8 November 2012 at Birmingham’s NEC.

The two-day conference, carefully devised by the RSC for laboratory managers and scientists working across the chemical industry, life sciences, food & beverage and research institutions, will focus on analytical chemistry - including the latest advances in measurement, life sciences and environmental research - plus continual professional development and health and safety.

The industrial researchers, world-renowned academics, spin-out researchers and technical sales managers addressing the conference include Lee Coney, Chief Scientific Officer - Biologics, at NDA Analytics who’s talking about ‘The application of bioassays for the development of biopharmaceuticals.’

In vitro bioassays are used throughout the entire product development life cycle of biological therapeutics from lead optimization right through to the clinic.

He says: “Although the format of these assays remains largely unaltered throughout product development, the regulatory requirements for assay performance changes considerably.”

Lee Coney will be discussing different assays formatted, used to screen lead candidates, characterize drug biology, batch release and determine neutralizing antibody immunogenicity, highlighting the importance of sound scientific principles and multidisciplinary interactions during product development.

Delegates attending Lee Coney’s session will have a wealth of experience to draw on. He has nearly 20 years hands-on experience of biopharmaceutical drug development.

He is a serving committee member on the Monoclonal Antibody Expert Working Group of the National Centre for the 3Rs, The BIA Manufacturing Advisory Committee and the RSC / RPS Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group.

The conference will also feature a talk by David Collins from the Irish Separation Science Cluster (ISSC) based at Dublin City University.

David Collins recently received the Royal Society of Chemistry 2012 Ronald Belcher Award for outstanding achievements in the development of analytical instrumentation.

The ISSC is an internationally recognized separation science group which is truly multidisciplinary, with chemists, biologists, engineers, and physicists, all working together to provide industry with analytical solutions to complex problems. David will be talking about some emerging technologies within the group, specifically in instrumentation development.

On the environmental front, Dr Stephen M Mudge, Managing Scientist in Environmental Forensics at Exponent UK will discuss ‘what’s the right analysis for the job’, when it comes to identifying sources of contaminants in the environment.

Dr Mudge, one of the world’s leading environmental scientists, is Visiting Professor and Invited Expert, North China Sea Environment and Monitoring Center, Qingdao, China.

He won the 1998 Enterprise Oil Heriot Watt University Environmental Award for novel methods of removing oil from beaches and is perfect for the conference as he’s not just an expert in this field; he’s also a highly respected lecturer. Indeed he developed the world’s first undergraduate programme in Environmental Forensics.

“When faced with a pollution situation analysis is often done but it doesn’t necessarily get at the root of who did it, how long ago, and where did the pollutant come from? Its questions like these that water companies or other interested parties need to answer. That’s where environmental forensic investigation comes in. I’ll be sharing the latest thinking on the best forensic techniques within my session.”

The scientific sessions will also include talks by Katya Nesterenko, Dublin City University, Irish Separation Science Cluster - team leader, Paul Gabbott, Thermal and Elemental Analysis, PETA Solutions and Thermal Instruments Ltd, UK and Dr. Laura Waters of the University of Huddersfield.

In 2011 Dr Waters was awarded the JPAG Analytical Science Award for her pharmaceutical research, the British Science Association Darwin Award for public engagement and the Intelligent Formulation Award for the promotion of formulation. More recently she won the Geoffrey Phillips Analytical Science Award 2012.

In addition to latest scientific thinking, the two-day programme will also address a range of practical issues through workshops and walk-in sessions ranging from health & safety obligations to information on getting the most out of continual professional development (CPD).

For instance Dr Andrea McGhee, RSC Professional Standards Specialist will discuss ‘achieving chartered status’ while Charlotte Ashley-Roberts, RSC Careers Specialist, will talk about ‘continuing your career.’ This will involve a detailed Q&A session, followed by 1:1 advice for RSC members.

Charlotte Ashley-Roberts says : “Many scientists assume that continuous professional development requires a training budget or that they need to change their job to get ahead, but I want people to realize that it’s not always the case.”

In addition to the conference programme, LAB INNOVATIONS will play host to a full exhibition featuring the latest laboratory technology & consumables, analytical & biotech equipment. There will be a product demonstration area plus a learnShops programme of industry seminars organized by Campden BRI.

The show is being supported not only by The Royal Society of Chemistry but also Gambica, Campden BRI, Institute of Measurement and Control, the UK Science Park Association, the Society of Biology and the British Pharmacological Society.