Apr 29 2009
The first ever international conference focusing on the importance of bio sensing technology is to be held at the Marriott Hotel and the Council House in Bristol on 10-12 November 2009. Bio-sensing technologies are of increasing importance in healthcare, agriculture and food industries, environmental and security sectors, and this is reflected in the continued growth of global markets for such technologies.
The conference is being organised by the Institute of Bio- Sensing Technology (IBST) http://www.biosensingtech.co.uk/ at the University of the West of England, working in partnership with Elsevier http://www.elsevier.com, publisher of Biosensors and Bioelectronics journal http://www.elsevier.com/locate/bios and the World Biosensors Congress to bring together academics and industry leaders from all over the globe.
Professor Richard Luxton, Director of the Institute for Bio-Sensing at UWE and the conference Chair, explains, “It is extremely exciting to be holding the first ever International Bio-sensing Conference in Bristol. UWE has a world leading research reputation in this area with academics leading projects that benefit society in many ways.
“The Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology (IBST) at UWE is the first of its type in the UK and was launched in 2008. IBST has formed academic and industrial partnerships to address the technological challenges from the development of novel technology for detection and measurement of biological systems to the integration of biological systems into novel sensing technology. These include research into novel sensors for the rapid measurement of metal ions in biological fluids and the use of image analysis techniques to study respiration. It is therefore fitting that we have taken on the mantel to co-host, with our industry partner Elsevier, the first conference of what will be a bi-annual event.
“The conference will include presentations from leading specialists highlighting new opportunities in bio-sensing technologies, opportunities to share best practice in the integration of technologies for bio-sensing, an exhibition of leading-edge, commercial technology and a poster forum for unveiling new research ideas and concepts.”
Speakers confirmed to date include Mr David Gillatt from Bristol Urological Institute who will give a talk on Biomarkers, Dr Frances Ligler from the Centre for Bio Molecular Science and Engineering, US Naval Laboratory, USA who will lead the session on Systems Integration and Professor Marco Mascani, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Italy who will talk about Sensor Technology.
UWE is currently working with Mr Gillatt on the development of a urine test to detect prostate cancer. If this work is successful the outcome could mean that it will be possible to create a non-invasive screening test for all men.
Steve West, UWE Vice-Chancellor confirms the critical importance of the work of IBST, he said, “The Institute for Bio-sensing is one of the key research areas for which UWE is becoming internationally renowned. The fact that IBST is hosting the first international conference is good news in that it highlights the fact that the Institute has the recognition from academic and industrial peers to host a successful event of this kind.
“The underwriting of the conference by Elsevier also demonstrates the importance of research developments in this area to industrial partners. The impact of findings is immense and recent papers on spot testing that have been internationally distributed through the Regional Development Agency network exemplify the critical impact the research has on prognostic and diagnostic point of care testing.”
http://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/UWENews/article.asp?item=1481&year=2009