Chemistry Notices. Submissions: Please send to by Wednesday for the following week s edition

Transcription

1 Chemistry Notices For the Week of February 30 to March 3, 2015 Submissions: Please send to by Wednesday for the following week s edition VISITING SPEAKERS AND SEMINARS Organic Division 502 Seminar: Li Zhang will speak on [2,3]- Rearrangement of Allylic Ammonium Ylides to Synthesize α- Allyl on Monday, March 2 nd, 2015 at 11:00 am in room CCIS Inorganic Division 502 Seminar: Shuai Xu will speak on Porous materials and hierarchically porous polymers on Wednesday, March 4 th, 2015 at 11:00 am in room Gunning Lemieux E3-25. Physical Division Visiting Speaker Dr. Mitch Albert Lakehead University/Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute Research Chair Hyperpolarized Gas MRI and HP Xenon Biosensor MRI for the Study of Physiological and Molecular Function MRI of lung function is extremely difficult because protons are scarce in the airways and periphery of the lungs, and the MR signal from a gas is about 10,000 times lower than in a liquid. Mitchell Albert and colleagues solved this problem by inventing HP gas MRI, which increased the SNR of the noble gases helium-3 (3He) or xenon-129 (129Xe) by 100,000 times above thermal equilibrium, enabling, for the first time, high-resolution imaging of ventilation function. HP gas MRI supplies high-resolution images that detail ventilation function on a regional basis. Dr. Albert has been an ongoing pioneer in applying this innovative technology, and his laboratory at the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute has one of the only centers for HP gas MRI in the world. Dr. Albert s group is active in using HP gas MR ventilation imaging for diagnosis, treatment guidance, and drug assessment for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. The image at the right shows an HP 3He MRI image of ventilation in an individual with asthma; note that the image details the location of ventilated areas (which appear bright) and regions where gas is not reaching (which appear dark). Dr. Albert is also developing HP gas MRI as a tool to guide lung cancer radiotherapy to minimize damage to functional tissue. HP gas MRI is a powerful research technology, but it requires an expensive polarizer to hyperpolarize gas, which makes it impractical for wide-scale implementation. As a result, Dr. Albert is developing fluorine-19 (19F) MRI of inert fluorinated gases. Fluorine-19 MRI uses gases that are inexpensive and readily available, and that do not require a polarizer, making it possible to implement 19F MRI at almost any hospital MRI center. Therefore, 19F MRI offers the promise of making imaging of regional lung ventilation function widely available for the first time. In addition to his work with functional ventilation imaging, Dr. Albert and his group are active in developing HP gas MRI for gathering direct information on cerebral blood flow in the brain, and for using xenon biosensors for molecular imaging. Xenon dissolves in the blood when inhaled and crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it provides a direct tracer of blood flow throughout the body, including the brain. Xenon MRI s direct measurement of cerebral blood flow makes it a powerful complimentary modality to measure perturbations to blood flow such as ischemic stroke. And because cerebral blood flow has been shown to correlate highly with neuronal activity, Dr. Albert has also demonstrated that HP 129Xe MRI can be used to measure cerebral activity. In addition, Dr. Albert is developing HP xenon biosensor MRI to perform true in vivo molecular imaging by attaching xenon to a molecule called a cryptophane cage, and then attaching a biosensor molecule to the xenon-cryptophane conjugate. Dr. Albert is developing xenon biosensor MRI for early detection of lung cancer, for assessment of status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein (HER2) overexpression in women with breast cancer, and assessment of resistance to the monoclonal antibody therapeutic Herceptin in women with breast cancer. Xenon biosensor MRI has the potential to significantly improve detection and treatment for cancers of the lung, breast, and other organs, lessening the burden of these devastating diseases. DATE: Wednesday, 4 MAR 2015 TIME: 1:00 p.m. PLACE: E3-25

2 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Analytical Chemist An immediate opportunity exists to join a well-established research team concentrating on development of a successful aquaculture industry in Alberta for a 12 month period, with opportunity for extension. The successful candidate will possess a diploma/degree in analytical chemistry, with demonstrated expertise in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Analyses of volatile flavour/off-flavour compounds from tissue samples will include the development/use of stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with thermal desorption methods, use of a column splitter for simultaneous odour detection, results analyses using appropriate software, and equipment maintenance and trouble-shooting. Experience with HPLC considered as an asset. Competencies required to succeed include teamwork, interactive communication, organization and planning, and problem solving. Location of tenure will be at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Research Centre in Lacombe, AB. Remuneration will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Qualified individuals should send their resumes and salary expectations to Mr. Bruce Swift at Tri-Gen Fish Improvement Ltd. TRIGEN@shaw.ca. Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry position open at North Carolina A&T State University. Details can be found through the link below: Candidates with the following are preferred: 1. A focus in analytical and bio- analytical chemistry 2. Postdoctoral research in bio- analytical chemistry as well as an aptitude for using instructional technology 3. A research and pedagogy plan that can attract funding from various granting agencies.

3 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, continued RESEARCH OFFICER (NMR Spectroscopy) The Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC) seeks applications from qualified scientists to fill a staff position in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The SSSC an integrated multidisciplinary analytical facility located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The SSSC trains undergraduate students, graduate students and other researchers in the operation of the analytical instruments and provides users with access to more than twenty major state of the art instruments. The Centre serves the University, public sector and private industry researchers in basic sciences and engineering, as well as fostering multidisciplinary collaborations in diverse fields, ranging from agriculture, to health sciences and Engineering. Duties: As a member of the SSSC research support team, the Research Officer will be responsible for instructing researchers in advanced techniques in NMR spectroscopy through the development of short courses, tutorials and individual training sessions. The Officer will also be responsible for implementing advanced methods and developing new methods as required to meet the research objectives of users. The Officer will be responsible for supervising users, implementing safety rules, helping non-experts in the interpretation of NMR spectra, and the maintenance and upgrading of the suite of NMR instruments. The Officer will provide back-up support for the principal mass spectrometrist. The NMR suite consists of three 500 MHz Bruker Avance NMR spectrometers that are equipped with an array of probes that include a HR MAS, and a micro -solids probe, as well as a liquid chromatograph. The NMR suite also includes a 600 MHz Bruker Avance NMR spectrometer with cryoprobe, microprobe and a broad band room temperature probe. The Mass Spectrometry suite consists of a LC/MS/MS (QToF), and GC-ToF. All NMR and MS instruments were upgraded or acquired in An experienced NMR Spectroscopist and an experienced Mass Spectrometrist are on staff. Qualifications: A PhD in chemistry or related field with 5 years of experience post PhD in advanced NMR is preferred. Additional experience with LC/NMR and MS would be an asset. An equivalent combination of education and experience would be considered. Full Job profile can be found at Salary: ASPA PHASE II ($59,517-$92,996) Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2015 and will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. Only applications submitted via the University of Saskatchewan employment site will be accepted: The University of Saskatchewan is committed to Employment Equity. Members of Designated Groups (women, aboriginal people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) are encouraged to self-identify on their applications. Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre Rm. G81.1 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9 Telephone: (306) R.Sammynaiken@usask.ca

4 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

5 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, continued