NIST Technicalendar December 31 to January 4, 2008 The NIST Technicalendar is issued each Friday. All items MUST be submitted electronically from this web page by 12:00 NOON each Wednesday unless otherwise stated in the NIST Technicalendar. The address for online weekly editions of the NIST Technicalendar and NIST Administrative Calendar is: http://www.nist.gov/tcal/.

In this Issue: Meetings at NIST Meetings Elsewhere Announcements Talks by NIST Personnel NIST Web Site Announcements NIST Administrative Calendar (current)   NIST Vacancy Announcements (current)

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No Scheduled Events

No Scheduled Events

10:00 AM - Controlling DNA conformation and dynamics using confinement, collisions,and field gradients

No Scheduled Events

11:00 AM - Industrialization of Personalized Medicine: Beyond the Pace of Measurement Science and Standards Creation

12/31 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/1 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/2 -- WEDNESDAY

10:00 AM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Controlling DNA conformation and dynamics using confinement, collisions,and field gradients
We present steps toward the control of DNA conformation and dynamics in solution, focusing on the use of nano-scale confinement of the DNA molecules. By studying trends of the diffusivity and the relaxation time with molecular weight and channel dimension, we can attain a detailed understanding of the polymer physics incurred by confinement. We can now explain confinement effects on length scales ranging from that of the molecule (chain conformation and drag) to the channel height (intra-molecular hydrodynamic interactions). Our results illuminate the potential and limits in using confinement to control DNA dynamics. I will also touch upon my current work dealing with DNA "conformational pre-conditioning," in which we attempt to minimize variations in conformation through processing history, and the kinetic trapping of DNA conformation using the polymerization of a photo-initiated, bio-compatible hydrogel
Anthony Balducci , MIT, Cambridge, MA, agb2@mit.edu.
224 Bldg, Rm. A315. (NIST Contact: Kalman Migler, 301-975-4876, kalman.migler@nist.gov)


1/3 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/4 -- FRIDAY

11:00 AM - BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCE DIVISION SEMINAR: Industrialization of Personalized Medicine: Beyond the Pace of Measurement Science and Standards Creation
Patrick Terry , Director of Industry Relations, Genomic Health Incorporated.
227 Bldg, Rm. A202. (NIST Contact: Peter Barker, 301-975-5402, peter.barker@nist.gov)


ADVANCE NOTICE

1/8/08 10:00 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR:
Paulina Kuo , Guest Speaker, Stanford, CA.
221 Physics Building, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Glenn Solomon, 301-975-3225, glenn.solomon@nist.gov)

1/8/08 2:00 PM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR:
Paulina Kuo , Guest Speaker, Stanford, CA.
221- Physics Bldg, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Glenn Solomon, 301-975-3225, glenn.solomon@nist.gov)

1/11/08 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: Mathemagics
Dr. Benjamin is both a professor of mathematics and a magician. He has combined his two loves to create a dynamic presentation called "Mathemagics," suitable for all audiences, where he demonstrates and explains his secrets for performing rapid mental calculations faster than a calculator. Reader's Digest calls him "America's Best Math Whiz." He has presented his high energy talk on over a thousand occasions to audiences throughout the world and has appeared on The Today Show and CNN.
Arthur Benjamin , Professor, Math Department, Harvey Mudd College.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

1/17/08 10:30 AM - ,CNST NANOTECHNOLOGY SERIES SEMINAR: Surface Restructuring of Nanoparticles: An Efficient Route for Extended Charge Separation
Semiconductor photocatalysis using nanoparticlate TiO2 has proven to be a promising technology for use in photocatalytic reactions, in the cleanup of water, or as a photoactive material in nanocrystalline solar cells. We have found that reconstructed surface of metal oxide nanoparticles differs form the bulk by the presence of highly reactive under-coordinated surface. This can be viewed as a curse or as an opportunity. The under-coordinated surface metal atoms trap light-induced charges, but also exhibit high affinity for oxygen-containing ligands. As a result of this strong interaction, delocalized bands of metal oxide nanoparticles are electronically coupled to organic linkers, improving their optical properties in the visible region and photovoltaic response due to enhanced charge separation across nanoparticle interface. In the same manner we use photoinduced charge separation in order to control and manipulate processes within living cells.
Tijana Rajh , Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL.
Bldg. 215, Rm. C103-C106. (NIST Contact: Nikolai Zhitenev, 301-975-6039, nikolai.zhitenev@nist.gov)

1/18/08 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: Deep Ancestry: Inside the Genographic Project
The fossil record suggests that our species evolved in Africa, but when? Now the new tools of molecular genetics are being used to unearth clues that reveal how we populated the world. This research has culminated in the launch of the Genographic Project, the largest study of genetic anthropology ever undertaken. Dr. Wells takes us on a tour that spans the globe and 60,000 years, tracing the migrations of our ancient ancestors using genetic signposts carried in the DNA of people living today. The research reveals how the incredible tapestry of human diversity has been created through these epic journeys.
Spencer Wells , Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

1/25/08 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: DNA: Not Merely the Secret of Life
We are all aware that DNA is the genetic material of living organisms. However, the same properties that make it such a good molecule for that purpose can be exploited to form structures on the nanometer scale. This effort utilizes synthetic DNA molecules with sequences designed to produce branched, rather than linear species. These branched species have been organized into objects, lattices, and nanomechanical devices. This research is aimed at control over the structure of matter: We are seeking to self-assemble macromolecular crystals that can act as hosts for macromolecular guests and enable crystallographic studies, as well as the organizing of nanoelectronic components.
Nadrian Seeman , Department of Chemistry, New York University.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


12/31 -- MONDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/1 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/2 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/3 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/4 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

No Scheduled Events

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIFTEENTH SIGMA XI POSTDOCTORAL POSTER PRESENTATION
The NIST Chapter of Sigma Xi invites all Post-Doctoral Fellows to present a poster on their scientific research to their NIST coworkers and friends. Guest Scientists who have received their advanced degree in the last five years are also welcome. The poster presentation will take place on February 14, 2008 in Lecture Rooms A and B and the adjoining hallway in the Administration Building from 11 am to 3 pm and will be accompanied by refreshments. All the participating Post-docs and Guest Scientists will be invited to a special reception and lunch hosted by Sigma Xi in the following week when the award for the most outstanding poster will be announced. To participate, send a one page abstract of your poster in MS Word (TITLE all caps, followed by full authors' names, followed by text) and the author information listed below to both yuqin.zong@nist.gov and to barbara.levin@nist.gov Your abstract has to be approved by your mentor. The author information must include: Your Name, Mentor's name, Division, Laboratory, Room and Building address, Mail Stop, Telephone #, FAX #, email and whether you and/or your mentor are Sigma Xi members. You must choose a category that best describes your poster: Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, or Physics. The Sigma Xi Web page containing abstracts from previous years can be seen at http://www.nist.gov/sigmaxi THE DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS IS JANUARY 16, 2008. Posters are numbered according to the date of their receipt. Space this year is even more limited than last year, so please sign up early.
NIST Contact: Barbara C. Levin, 301-975-6682, barbara.levin@nist.gov

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NIST WEB SITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Web Site announcements this week.

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For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Hallman, Editor, Stop 2500, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899-2500; Telephone: 301-975-TCAL (3570); Fax: 301-926-4431; or Email: tcal@nist.gov.

All lectures and meetings are open unless otherwise stated.

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