Cognition

2015-02-15T07:13:00.002+03:30

The University of Toronto receives the news of the death of Dr. John Evans with sadness at our collective loss, and gratitude for his decades of contributions to diverse facets of Canadian society. Those who had the privilege of working with him mourn the passing of a great friend and mentor. And all members of the University community recall a lifetime of sterling leadership, from his student days as a Varsity athlete and Rhodes Scholar to his service as the University’s 9th president (1972-78) and later as an engaged and beloved president emeritus.
Meric S Gertler, President, University of Toronto
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Joseph Louis Rotman Scholarship

“Joseph Rotman was a visionary who inspired confidence in a generation of Canadians to see themselves not just as business people and entrepreneurs, but as global leaders. He was a tireless champion of youth and education. He believed Canada can and should compete on a global scale and he wanted the Rotman School of Management to lead the way. And I believe he succeeded.”

- Tiff Macklem, Dean of the Rotman School of Management

Please direct memorial cards for the Joseph Louis Rotman Scholarship Fund to:

The Rotman School of Management
Attention: Anne Hilton
105 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3E6

Entrepreneurial

2012-01-11T21:05:00.001+03:30

Discovery 2014: Government Program Overviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mnelGvaLUY&index=24&list=PLxaNjBycSt7jlbTXA5TEKgCUx1-0WtNm5

In a recent review of 23 studies, entrepreneurs scored significantly higher than others on conscientiousness (self-discipline and motivation) and openness to experience, and significantly lower than others on agreeableness (concern for social harmony) and neuroticism.
Milnes A, Business at Oxford Magazine:
http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/newsandevents/Pages/bao.aspx

VantagePoint Capital Partners to help build influential companies

2012-01-11T21:00:00.001+03:30

VantagePoint has been funding transformative companies and provide cutting-edge technology with the resources—whatever it takes—to commercialize big opportunities.
The magazine of Oxford's Said Business School
Once VantagePoint understands problems ... in detail, it can look for start-ups that might help to solve the problem, and make connections between multinationals and the technology entrepreneurs that can help them.

read more:
http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/Documents/bao/BusinessatOxford_19_Autumn2011.pdf

.....And since it takes time to change the world, we stick with our companies and support them from start-up through scale-up.
http://www.vpcp.com/about_us

How to apply for a tax refund available to eligible start-ups that are commercializing intellectual property developed at Canadian universities and colleges.
Read More

Ontario Tax Exemption Programs
http://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/ontario-tax-exemption-commercialization

Reza Moridi

Minister of Research and Innovation

The Ministry of Research and Innovation supports world-class research, commercialization and innovation taking place across Ontario through a range of programs and services like the Ontario Research Fund, Innovation Demonstration Fund and Ontario Venture Capital Fund.

Opportunity Costs

2012-01-05T14:48:00.002+03:30

...There are really only two things that you have to know about economics. As with, say, the two things about boxing: hit, don't get hit. In economics these are 1) incentives matter and 2) opportunity costs. The first of these we all intuitively grasp, the second sadly vast swathes of the country do not. And the wish is that we get the education system sufficiently sorted out so that every child does indeed understand this vital idea.x

Tim Worstall, http://www.adamsmith.org/blog

Startups at MaRS.

2012-01-04T18:34:00.001+03:30

Faced with unprecedented demand for space from web and mobile startups, the Information technology, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) practice at MaRS announces a new home for the most promising emerging companies, the MaRS Commons. The MaRS Commons provides both a physical space and a community that supports entrepreneurs in growing successful global businesses.

“The power of place to anchor a community and accelerate innovation is at the heart of MaRS,” said Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District. “The MaRS Commons, which complements our existing incubator, is designed as a focal point for Toronto’s burgeoning web and mobile technology ecosystem, combining a great space with community, education, networking and mentorship.”

“The ongoing education and mentorship of young entrepreneurs is an essential ingredient to unleash Canada’s innovation potential. We are delighted to partner with MaRS on the creation of the Commons, a space and community that will be a wonderful launch pad for our entrepreneurial students and alumni.”
David Naylor, President, University of Toronto

http://www.marsdd.com/news-insights/newsreleases/we%E2%80%99ve-moved-startups-have-a-new-home-at-mars/

Oxford's seven millionth book moved

2012-01-04T16:59:00.001+03:30

The Bodleian Libraries’ Swindon Book Storage Facility has taken delivery of its seven millionth book - just over a year after opening its doors.

Bodley’s Librarian Sarah Thomas said: "This has been an important year in the history of the Bodleian, and it has been an extraordinary success. We have tagged and moved all our books, relocated our staff, prepared the New Bodleian building for its redevelopment, opened new facilities for readers in the heart of Oxford and refreshed and developed our IT capabilities."

On 16 Sept 2010, the Bodleian Library has hosted the official launch of Oxford’s bid to become UNESCO World Book Capital in 2014. The bid was announced at a reception in the 400-year-old Convocation House of the Library, and was attended by local authors including Philip Pullman and Colin Dexter, heads of local government, publishers and book readers of all ages.

The bid is being co-ordinated by Oxford Inspires – the Cultural Development Agency for Oxfordshire – on behalf of a steering committee made up of the following partners: The Bodleian Libraries, The Story Museum, Oxfam, University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford University Press, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford Literary Festival and Blackwell’s. The year-long programme would run from April 2014 to April 2015 and would include the openings of new parts of the Bodleian Libraries and the completion of The Story Museum.

Sarah Thomas, Bodley’s Librarian, said: ‘The Bodleian Libraries and the University of Oxford are committed and eager to contribute to Oxford’s campaign to become UNESCO World Book Capital in 2014. The exciting transformation of the New Bodleian Library into the Weston Library will be one of the landmark events within its scope. Nevertheless, we represent just one facet of the sparkling jewel that is Oxford in the world of books and reading.’

Sarah Thomas was appointed Bodley’s Librarian in February 2007. She is the first woman and non-British citizen to hold the position in 400 years. From 1996-2007 she was Cornell’s University Librarian. Previously she has worked at the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, the Research Libraries Group, and Harvard’s Widener Library.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2012/100104.html
http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/about/librarian/thomas

Credit institutions rely on friendship Banking

2012-01-04T16:09:00.000+03:30

In the coming months about 2 out of 5 banks plan to launch new social media projects on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. 69 percent of them are already working on supply of short-term fundings. From 2013, another 35 percent of the banks want to engage. Then 53 percent of the cooperative banks are going to start. This is the research result of the "Sector Compass Credit Institutions" study by Steria Mummert Consulting in cooperation with the FAZ-Institut.
Background information For the above study, 100 decision-makers were surveyed in July 2011 from 100 banks in Germany, the institutes with total assets among the largest in the country. The decision makers were interviewed about the industry trends and the strategies and investment goals by 2014. The CEOs, board members, managing directors, heads of corporate development, the director of finance and controlling, sales and marketing director were interviewed. The interviews were conducted with the method of computer assisted telephone interview (CATI).
Two-thirds of the banks also plan to use social media for recruitment and HR applications. Although the communication is especially useful as referrals (76 percent), and communicating about new products (63 percent), but still sell nearly half of the Web 2.0.

While social media currently play first in the information search, but for banking play a subordinate role. Only seven percent of Germans now find bank products on Facebook and Twitter. But among younger customers between 18 and 24 years are almost twice as many, social media is a common information channel.

source: http://www.business-on.de/nds-ost/social-bank-kommunikation-facebook-steria-mummert-consulting-_id4322.html

Give to Oxford tax efficiently

2012-01-01T16:53:00.001+03:30

North American Donors: Click here to donate tax efficiently through Americans for Oxford.

https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/UXF/onlinegiving/showGivingForm.jsp?form_id=1010

....3 areas of priority as SBS moves to the future, Alumni Relations, Scholarships and a Facilities and Development Fund which will support the construction of the new building.

Why should Alumni donate to Oxford's Business School?
Your donation gives you a voice in the future of the School. Everyone who participates in this program will also be invited to participate in elections for the new Founding Sub Committee, which will ultimately elect representatives to the Committee.

More than that, it's about collective philanthropy and alumni coming together with small regular donations which support the institutions areas of priority. All gifts, no matter what size, are essential for our shared future.

http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/corporate/supporttheschool/Pages/AlumniFund.aspx

Canadian Financing Forum 2012

2011-12-28T00:06:00.003+03:30

FEBRUARY 2 & 3, 2012 | FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM | VANCOUVER, BC

Join Us For Canada's Premier Access-to-Capital Program

The Canadian Financing Forum facilitates relationship building between entrepreneurs and leading venture capital and corporate investors, paving the way for company financings that ultimately sustain economic growth through new business creation and development.

http://www.financingforum.com/

The Oxford Invention

2011-08-09T16:42:00.000+04:30

Magnetic Navigation A method of localising mobile devices and smartphones, without the need for additional hardware.http://www.isis-innovation.com/licensing/7949.html

Hydrogen Sulphide Sensor - A practical, viable, reusable hydrogen sulphide sensor.

RNA interference (RNAi) Technology Mirtrons — A new approach to targeting the RNAi pathway, offering longer term silencing and reduced toxic side effects.

Intelligent Tissue

Intelligent Tissue Expander to Revolutionise Surgery

Oxtexs Limited, the latest spinout from Isis Innovation Ltd, the technology transfer office of the University of Oxford, has secured £365,000 of seed funding to develop an intelligent hydrogel material for tissue expansion. For the first time, surgeons will be able to accurately and predictably control the direction, the timing, and rate of the material’s expansion in the body. This will significantly reduce the risk of soft tissue damage and associated complications. The level of control makes them ideal for use in delicate anatomical locations, particularly in the treatment of children.

The innovative hydrogel is the result of a unique collaboration between two materials scientists (Jan Czernuszka, Lecturer in Materials at the University of Oxford, and David Bucknall, currently Professor of Materials Science at the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA) and two plastic and reconstructive surgeons (Marc C. Swan and Tim Goodacre based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford).

The market for the product – which can be shaped by the surgeon prior to implantation – is broad. It includes scar reconstruction following trauma, burns or cancer surgery. It also includes the treatment of congenital craniofacial conditions and limb deformities. However, the largest market may prove to be in restorative dentistry. Trials in this area are scheduled to begin at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the United States.

Tom Hockaday, Managing Director of Isis Innovation, says, “We are delighted to have assisted in building a business from this technology, which has the potential to transform lives. Introducing investors to projects like this is a crucial part of our work enabling society to benefit from University research.”

To read the full article, please click here.http://www.isis-innovation.com/news/news/IntelligentTissueExpanderstoRevolutioniseSurgery.html

Prof John Freely

2011-07-31T18:30:00.001+04:30

please vote for science Oxford

2010-06-03T15:37:00.004+04:30

Great news: our post about Oxford & the Royal Society's origins has been nominated for the 3quarksdaily science blogging awards.

These annual awards celebrate the very best in blogging and this is the second year that 3quarksdaily have given a prize for science posts. We're in excellent company with posts from such great blogs as The Loom, Bad Astronomy, and Not Exactly Rocket Science.

Our post delved into the fertile chaos of 1650s Oxford and how an eclectic mix of figures from the University would go on to play a key role in the founding of the Royal Society (which celebrates its 350th birthday this year) and set Britain on the path to becoming a scientific superpower.

But of course, to stand any chance of winning, we need your votes! So if you'd like us to win go to the 3quarksdaily voting page, look for 'University of Oxford Science Blog', and vote for us!

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/

http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/3-quarks-daily-2010-science-prize-vote-here.html

To the worth of all seas

2009-12-22T07:22:00.001+03:30

My precious Oxford
To the worth of all seas

THz technique

2009-12-20T05:43:00.004+03:30

THz frequencies are employed for interrogation at nanoscale, for their key energy and timescales, since electrons dynamics in nanostructures fall in THz frequency region. Photonics are key players for development of THz devices such as quantum cascade laser QCL or THz single photon detector.

Oxford Terahertz Photonics group
http://www-thz.physics.ox.ac.uk/spectrometer/References.html
- Cutting-edge terahertz technology, M Tonouchi, Nat. Photon., 1:97-105 (2007)
- Terahertz pulse imaging in reflection geometry of human skin cancer and skin tissue, RM Woodward, BE Cole, VP Wallace, RJ Pye, DD Arnone, EH Linfield, M Pepper Phys. Med. Biol., 47:3853 (2002)
- Thz-wave spectroscopy applied to the detection of illicit drugs in mail, A Dobroiu, Y Sasaki, T Shibuya, C Otani, K Kawase Proc. IEEE, 95:1566 (2007)

Oxford University is also home to two Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC) centres - Quantum Information Processing (QIP) and Bio-nanotechnology. QIP is a cross-disciplinary team working with industry to harness the latest developments in this field so as to manipulate, store and communicate information. The Bio-nanotechnology IRC investigates naturally occurring biomolecular nanosystems and applies this knowledge to produce artificial electronic and optical devices.
Begbroke Science Park: http://www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk/research/nanotechnology.php

THz Technique

Time domain THz technique can probe the properties of charge carriers, contacts, defects, scattering events and other phenomena in carbon nanotubes and related nanoscale materials and devices, with sub-picosecond resolution.

This schematic diagram shows some of the phenomena that can be explored: (clockwise from top left) electron–electron scattering; electron–phonon scattering; the role of structural defects; and the relative importance of single-electron and plasmon excitation. A carbon nanotube FET is also shown.

Bradley F. Habenicht & Oleg V. Prezhdo, Nanotube devices: Watching electrons in real time, Nature Nanotechnology 3, 190 - 191 (2008) Published online: 23 March 2008

Seasons Greeting

2009-12-17T07:08:00.002+03:30

http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/seasonsgreetings/default.htm

Oxford's BegBroke Science Park

2009-12-08T06:30:00.003+03:30

Begbroke Science Park Clean Room - Oxford

Hydrodynamic Voltammetry

The transport-limited current at microchannel electrodes may be quantitatively predicted by using the hopscotch algorithm to solve the mass-transport equation descibing the transport of electroactive material by convection and diffusion in a direction both axial and normal to the electrode surface. In particular, axial diffusion effects are found to be substantial for electrodes of micrometer dimensions in length, and the result of such effects is to propagate concentration depletion effects dramatically upstream of the electrode. The theoretical predictions were found to be in quantitative agreement with experiment.

Peter Dobson, Hydrodynamic Voltammetry with Microelectrodes. Channel Microband Electrodes: Theory and Experiment, J. Phys. Chem. 1993,97, 10410-10415

Si NanoWire Biosensor

2009-11-30T04:43:00.005+03:30

Silicon nanowire SiNW FETs could be used to detect binding and unbinding of proteins to their corresponding ligands linked to nanowire surfaces in aqueous solutions. Proteins and nucleic acids also have been detected by using carbon nanotubes and SiNW FETs, respectively.

fig 1 - Detection of ATP binding. (A) Conductance (G) vs. ATP concentration for SiNWs modified with Abl (red curve) and a device prepared in an identical fashion, except Abl was not coupled to the surface (black curve). Regions 1, 2, and 3 correspond to 0.1, 3, and 20 nM ATP, respectively. Arrows indicate the points where solution is changed. (Inset) Scanning electron micrograph of a typical SiNW FET device. The nanowire is highlighted by a white arrow and is contacted on either end with Ti/Au metal electrodes. (Scale bar: 500 nm.) (B) Change in conductance (ΔG) vs. ATP concentration for Abl-modified SiNW (red) and SiNW without Abl (black).

ATP Sensing. Typical time-dependent data recorded from an Abl-modified SiNW device (Fig. 1) exhibited reversible, concentration-dependent increases in conductance upon introducing buffer solutions containing ATP. The reversibility of these concentration-dependent increases was evident from the corresponding decreases in conductance to baseline value upon introducing buffer solution without ATP. The observed increases in conductance are consistent with the binding of negatively charged ATP to Abl. Specifically, a p-type SiNW FET will exhibit an increase (decrease) in conductance when the gate-voltage is negative (positive) because of the accumulation (depletion) of carriers. Binding of negatively charged ATP to the Abl kinase increases the negative surface-charge density and increases conductance similar to a negative gate voltage.

Wang U W et al, Label-free detection of small-molecule–protein interactions by using nanowire nanosensors, PNAS March 1, 2005 vol. 102 no. 9 3208-3212

Fig 2-Nanowire with excitation at the bottom end and top end (no plasmon excitement)

Nanowire Nanosensors for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Biological and Chemical Species

fig 3- NW nanosensor for pH detection. (A) Schematic illustrating the conversion of a NW FET (field effect transistor) into NW nanosensors for pH sensing. The NW is contacted with two electrodes, a source (S) and drain (D), for measuring conductance. Zoom of the APTES-modified SiNW surface illustrating changes in the surface charge state with pH. (B) Real-time detection of the conductance for an APTES-modified SiNW for pHs from 2 to 9; the pH values are indicated on the conductance plot. (inset, top) Plot of the time-dependent conductance of a SiNW FET as a function of the back-gate voltage. (inset, bottom) Field-emission scanning electron microscopy image of a typical SiNW device. (C) Plot of the conductance versus pH; the red points (error bars equal ± 1 SD) are experimental data, and the dashed green line is linear fit through this data. (D) The conductance of unmodified SiNW (red) versus pH. The dashed green curve is a plot of the surface charge density for silica as a function of pH.

networks of protein interactions

2009-11-30T04:30:00.002+03:30

Systems Biology and New Technologies Enable Predictive and Preventative Medicine

A network perturbation model of galactose utilization in yeast. This model reflects the integration of mRNA levels for the 6000 yeast genes in each of 20 different genetic and environmental perturbations, as well as thousands of protein/protein and protein/DNA interactions from the literature. The software program Cytoscape (54) integrated these data into a network where the nodes represent proteins (encoded by genes) and the lines represent interactions (blue straight lines, protein/protein interactions; yellow lines with arrows, protein/DNA interactions). A gray scale represents the levels of mRNA, with black being abundant levels and white very low levels. The red node indicates that this network model reflects the knockout of the corresponding gene (and protein) gal 4—a key transcription factor. rProtein, ribosomal protein; nt, nucleotide; synth, synthesis.

Hood et al, Science 22 October 2004: Vol. 306. no. 5696, pp. 640 - 643

Oxford's Begbroke science park

2009-11-29T20:59:00.003+03:30

"We must improve at translating good ideas into commercial success."
(Sir Digby-Jones, Director-General of the CBI)

When the size of the structure is decreased, surface to volume ratio increases considerably and the surface phenomena predominate over the chemistry and physics in the bulk (Sammy)

Innovation is key to meeting many of today’s development challenges, and the primary force for innovation is fundamental research. Without it, there would be no science to apply. Faraday's experiments on electricity, for example, were driven by curiosity but eventually brought us electric light. No amount of R&D on the candle could ever have done that. Electric light came from innovation driven by fundamental science.

Faith of Silica nanoparticles in wastewater treatment

2009-11-14T22:21:00.005+03:30

Fate of Silica Nanoparticles in Simulated Primary Wastewater Treatment

Peter Dobson et al, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2009, 43 (22) pp 8622-8628

Through novel application of small-angle neutron scattering, we examined the fate of silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) during simulated primary wastewater treatment, by measuring, in real time, the colloidal behavior of SiO2NPs in wastewater (sewage). We examined the effects of surface functionality on SiO2NP fate in wastewater, by comparing both unfunctionalized (uncoated or “bare”) SiO2NPs and SiO2NPs functionalized with a thin coating of a nonionic surfactant (Tween 20), which is widely used in personal care and household product formulations containing engineered oxide nanoparticles. Our results show new evidence that the surface functionality of SiO2NPs plays a crucial role in their flocculation and sedimentation behavior in wastewater, and thus the likely efficacy of their removal from the effluent stream during primary wastewater treatment. Uncoated SiO2NPs did not flocculate in wastewater over typical residence times for primary treatment. Conversely, surface-functionalized (Tween-coated) SiO2NPs underwent rapid flocculation in wastewater. Our results show that the surface-functionalized SiO2NPs are likely to be removed by sedimentation to sewage sludge (typically recycled to land), whereas uncoated SiO2NPs will continue through the effluent stream. While nanoparticle design is driven by use purpose, this study shows new potential for exploiting surface functionalization of nanoparticles to modify their environmental pathways.

http://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/science/earth-science-and-environment/managing-nanoparticle-waste-in-sewage9094.html
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es901399q
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/programmes/nanoscience/

How do model hydrophobic polymers respond to interfaces having a range of chemistries from hydrophobic to hydrophilic?
To what surfaces do such polymers “stick”, and what is the magnitude of the binding free energy?
What conformational changes occur upon adsorption onto different surfaces?
How different are the dynamics at the interface, and to what extent are they influenced by the interfacial chemistry?

Water-mediated interactions drive the polymer to adsorb strongly at a hydrophobic interface and repel it from hydrophilic ones. At hydrophilic surfaces, van der Waals interactions between the polymer and the surface mitigate this water-mediated repulsion, leading to weak adsorption of the polymer. Although the polymer is strongly adsorbed to hydrophobic surfaces, it is also most dynamic there. Translational diffusion and conformational dynamics are faster at hydrophobic surfaces compared to those at hydrophilic ones.

Unwanted adsorption is a significant problem in a range of applications from separation processes (e.g.,membrane fouling6) tomarine coatings (7-10) to implants.(1,2) Alternatively, one may be interested in controlling and engineering binding in a specific manner leading to an alignment of molecules or pattern formation with applications in sensing and detection.(3-6)

The thermodynamics of adsorption are then governed by the interplay of intermolecular interactions between them. In aqueous systems, the structural organization of water molecules near a given surface and a solute induces water-mediated interactions between them.17 These water-induced interactions contribute in
addition to the direct surface-solute interactions and can be attractive (e.g., hydrophobic) or repulsive depending on the chemistry and the nature of the surface and the solute. In situations where the solute molecule is conformationally flexible,
additional important questions arise regarding preferred conformations in the adsorbed state and the dynamics of conformational transitions at the interface.

How Surface Wettability Affects the Binding, Folding, and Dynamics of
Hydrophobic Polymers at Interfaces, Langmuir article, Received April 3, 2009. Revised Manuscript Received April 27, 2009
pubs.acs.org/Langmuir
(1) Pavithra, D.; Doble, M. Biomed. Mater. 2008, 3.
(2) Wisniewski, N.; Reichert, M. Colloids Surf., B 2000, 18, 197–219.
(3) Hayden, O.; Lieberzeit, P. A.; Blaas, D.; Dickert, F. L. Adv. Funct. Mater.
2006, 16, 1269–1278.
(4) Choi, I.; Kang, S. K.; Lee, J.; Kim, Y.; Yi, J. Biomaterials 2006, 27, 4655–
4660.
(5) Mrksich, M.; Dike, L. E.; Tien, J.; Ingber, D. E.; Whitesides, G. M. Exp.
Cell Res. 1997, 235, 305–313.
(6) Shi, H. Q.; Tsai, W. B.; Garrison, M. D.; Ferrari, S.; Ratner, B. D. Nature
1999, 398, 593–597.
(7) Dobretsov, S.; Dahms, H. U.; Qian, P. Y. Biofouling 2006, 22, 43–54.
(8) Genzer, J.; Efimenko, K. Biofouling 2006, 22, 339–360.
(9) Yebra, D. M.; Kiil, S.; Dam-Johansen, K. Prog. Org. Coat. 2004, 50, 75–104.
(10) Schmidt, D. L.; Brady, R. F.; Lam, K.; Schmidt, D. C.; Chaudhury, M. K.
Langmuir 2004, 20, 2830–2836.

Static ion mass spectrometry of adsorbed protein, Anal. Chem. 1003, 65, 1431-1430

Static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was used to analyze proteins adsorbed to biomaterial surfaces. A spectral interpretation protocol was established by examining homopolymers of 16 amino acids. This protocol allows for the assignment of peaks unique to the various amino acids. Static SIMS was used to analyze plasma proteins adsorbed to titanium. The various factors that contributed to the relative intensities observed in the spectra were explored.

Proteins are composed of 20 amino acids. The molar 5% C, 0, and N in most proteins is remarkably constant. Proteins, except for a few specific structural proteins, have
similar amino acid contents. In a study comparing the frequency of occurrence of each amino acid residue in the primary structure of 207 unrelated proteins, the number of times an amino acid is observed in a randomly chosen portion of the molecule is related only to its frequency; that is, proteins do not exhibit characteristic sequences at the local leve1. However, a concern for specific higher order distributions (apolar, polar, charged, etc.) is expressed, because such
distributions lead to specific chain folding and protein c~nformation.I~t ~i s manifestations of this higher order distribution, related to protein orientation and conformation at surfaces, that is of interest in the biological reaction of proteins at interfaces. This study provides some of the groundwork needed to explore amino acid distributions within the outermost 20 A of a protein layer.

33) Paynter, R. W.; Ratner, B. D. In Surface and Interfacial Aspects
of Biomedical Polymers; Andrade, J. D., Ed.; Plenum: New York, 1985;
(34) Klapper, M. H. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1977,78,1018 -1024

lab on a chip

2009-11-13T01:42:00.000+03:30

REQUEST ADVICE AND QUOTATION:

Nanocoatings are opening up new market opportunities in areas such as anti-microbialism, thermal insulation, dirt and water repellency, hardness, corrosion resistance, flame retardancy, UV stability, anti-graffiti, self-cleaning, moisture absorbing, gloss retention and chemical and mechanical properties that are improved significantly using nanostructured materials.

We are your partner in Nano and Bio Manufacturing

Consult with us your industry needs

_________________________________________________

rHEALTH is a portable handheld device that can diagnose hundreds of diseases using a single drop of blood with gold-standard accuracy. rHEALTH diagnoses biomarkers for an early warning sign of serious diseases.

Request Info: consultant@oxfaz.org

NANOPLEX™ biomarker detection

These silica-coated, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active metal nanoparticles allow robust, ultrasensitive, highly-multiplexed biomarker quantitation in any biological matrix, including whole blood.

Click here to view NANOPLEX biomarker formation animation

http://www.oxonica.com/diagnostics/diagnostics_biodiagnostics_new.php

http://biomarkers.chicorporate.com/

DANA Diabecare received FDA approval in 2001

Glucose Meter integrated into the Remote Control – sends info automatically to the Insulin Pump through wireless communication system. http://www.sooil.com/NEW/eng/m3_r_01.html

Johnson&Johnson (LifeScan): OneTouch Ultramini:
One Touch Ping: use gold strips , http://www.onetouch.ca/
The OneTouch® Ultra is a small, easy to use and very fast meter, producing results in five seconds. The OneTouch Ultra uses FastDraw™ Design test strips, a new capillary action, end-fill test strip that takes only 1 microliter of blood, is touchable, and is approved for alternative sites (e.g., the arm instead of the finger tip). Combining small blood volume, small size (3.12" x 2.25" x .85", 1.5 ounces with battery) and the short, 5-second test time, the OneTouch Ultra is recommended, though the newer OneTouch Ultra2 and UltraMini are better choices (especially the new UltraMini, now that it has a data port).
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0i_290.htm

InDuo:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0i_291.htm
The InDuo is the world's first combined blood glucose meter and insulin dosing device.
The glucose meter ...(800) 663-5521, Voice Canada (408) 946-6070 Fax ...

Roche - Accu-Chek Advantage: Roche;

Accu-check Aviva Nano: (insert strip),
Accu-Chek Mobile system = 50 tests, Strip free, virtual monitoring,
https://www.accu-chek.ca/ca/

Bayer:Acsencia Elite XL, in Canada, Bayer,
Contour next EZ:
www.OnlineCanadianPharmacy.com
When purchasing Ascensia Elite XL Monitor it is required that you provide them with a signed prescription by your doctor.

Auto Control iTest, Zero-Click,

http://www.itestglucose.com/itest_strips.html
Powered by WaveSense Technology = Recently performed multi-site clinical studies tested the accuracy of the iTest of strips to generate over 2200 data points. The iTest was shown to be extremely accurate. Data collected by finger-stick method on individuals with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes (compared to laboratory standard† ). Results are for > 4.2 mmol/L.

BD Latitude, BD logic; BD Medical, a segment ofBD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX), www.bd.com
BD Medical Notifies Blood Glucose Monitor Users in the US and Canada About a Potential Malfunction with its Meters (2006)
BD , c/o 101 Mary Street W. Suite 300 , Whitby, Ontario, L1N 2R4
Product Notification Group , 1-866-556-8123
Warning by Health Canada on units of measure - In Canada, the monitors identified above are programmed to display test results in "mmol/L" and cannot be changed by the user. On very rare occasions these monitors may switch the blood glucose test result display from "mmol/L" to "mg/dL".This might happen during an event such as installing a battery or dropping the monitor. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/public/_2006/gluc-glyc_monit-lect_4_pa-ap-eng.php

Abbott; Freestyle Freedom
http://www.freestyleinsulinx.com/video_canada.php
on May 9, 2012 Abbott announced its new FreeStyle Insulinx Blood Glucose Monitor system available in diabetes centres and select pharmacies across Canada: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/970791/abbott-s-new-freestyle-insulinx-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-with-insulin-calculator-now-available-in-canada

Abbott;Precision Xtra;

a blood glucose meter that tests for ketone too; (insert strip),
http://www.abbottdiabetescare.ca/adc_ca/url/content/en_CA/20.10.40:40/product/Product_Profile_0016.htm

MedTronic Infusion Sets:
http://www.diabetesdepot.ca/medtronic-minimed/medtronic-minimed-models-506-507-508.html
Comparing current Insulin Pumps: Animas, Accu-chek, Medtronic, Insulte, Sooil USA, Tandem diabetes, http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes-technology/insulin-pumps/current-pumps/pump-comparison

HDI Side Kick

HDI TrueTrack

Life Technologies; Dynabeads® are used for magnetic separation and handling of biomoleculesin a wide range of assays and applications. The Dynabeads® act as a solid-phase with true liquid-phase kinetics, and is easily adapted to automated liquid-handling platforms.
Dynabeads® are uniform, monosized superparamagnetic beads, composed of highly cross-linked polystyrene with evenly distributed magnetic material. The beads are further coated, enclosing the iron oxide inside the beads. To allow full flexibility, a range of surface-activated Dynabeads® are available (e.g. 1 μm / 2.8 μm / 4.5 μm bead diameter, hydrophobic / hydrophilic surface characteristics, and with epoxy- / amine- / tosyl- / hydroxyl- / carboxylic acid surface groups available for coupling).
http://products.invitrogen.com/ivgn/product/35500
http://tools.invitrogen.com/content/sfs/manuals/Surface-Activated%20Dynabeads%20generic%20pki%28rev001%29.pdf

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Oxford Photovoltaics

Our technology uses abundant and non-toxic organic solar cell materials that are screen printed directly onto glass, so the manufacturing process is simple, cheap and extremely scalable both in size of substrate and production volume. Using glass, the solar cell can be transparent, self-coloured and ideal for integration into the facade or cladding of buildings in applications known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).

REQUEST QUOTATION AND EXPERT ADVICE: consultant@oxfaz.org

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: The APD Group works closely with industry and research partners, helping develop innovative technologies and conducting forwarding looking fundamental and applied research. http://mse.utoronto.ca/research/whatif/apd.htm

REQUEST QUOTATION: consultant@oxfaz.org

The Solar Energy Materials Initiative: OXFORD UNIVERSITY BEGBROKE SCIENCE PARK

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NEW OXFORD DEVELOPED COATING FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS WINS VENTURE PRIZE AWARD

28 June 2012, Researchers at the University of Oxford have won a major materials science prize to develop a high-technology coating with the potential to significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of new-generation solar photovoltaic cells.

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Medicinal products containing nanoparticles in the form of liposomes (i.e. Caelyx, Myocet), polymer protein conjugates (i.e. PegIntron, Somavert), polymeric substances (i.e. Copaxone) or suspensions (i.e. Rapamune, Emend) have already been granted Marketing Authorisations within the Community under the existing regulatory framework.

The table below provides a breakdown of the type of nanostructures utilized in the confirmed and likely nanomedicine products. The various forms of free nanoparticles were the most prevalent categories, with significant numbers in both commercial products and investigational applications.

Read More here:

Liquid Solar Cells - Crystalline nanoparticles of cadmium selenide could be suspended in liquid and painted or printed on to a suitable surface to make stable solar cells of almost any shape or size………………Researchers at South Carolina Univ found a way to make the liquid colloidal suspension electrically conductive by adding connecting ligands (the 1,2,3,4-thiatriazole-5-thiolate anion) using a relatively low-temperature process to stabilize the nanocrystals. The TTT- anion is relatively easy to synthesize the team says and acts as a “masked” thiocyanate, but without the issues that thiocyanate has with forming a stable ink.

Materials Today, Vol 15 No 6 June 2012

"The UK as a whole has four of the world's top six universities, and they typically spin out around 200 companies a year. Whilst London is best defined as a global talent hub, it can also be described as the world's largest science park, with financial and legal advice close at hand."

(Baroness Valentine, in the occasion of the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the London Hilton Park Lane, Nov 2009)

The gloomy time will pass, and good times will come back. This much is certain, when we finally enter the post crisis period, the business and economic context will not have returned to pre crisis context. The New Normal business scene will have changed. The result will be an environment that while different from the past, is no less rich in possibilities for those who are intelligently prepared. (Ian Davis)

Invent the future

2009-10-13T02:42:00.000+03:30

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

Alan Kay (1940– ), American computer scientist

cited in www.askoxford.com

Four generations of nanotechnology products: Roco

2009-10-04T15:48:00.001+03:30

Four generations of nanotechnology products and their respective manufacturing methods and research foci are identified: Passive nanostructures; active nanostructures; three-dimensional (3-D) nanosystems and systems of nanosystems; and heterogeneous molecular nanosystems. Designing new atomic and molecular assemblies is expected to increase in
importance, including macromolecules “by design” nanoscale machines, and directed multiscale selfassembling. Although expectations from nanotechnology may be overestimated in short-term, the long-term implications on healthcare, productivity
and environment appear to be underestimated.

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/nano/reports/mcr_04-0101_visionnt@aiche_final.pdf

Nanotechnology Standards

2009-10-04T15:02:00.000+03:30

Nanotechnology Standards

Knowledge Transfer Partnership KTP

2009-10-04T14:45:00.004+03:30

Oxford University's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) office initiates and supports the University's KT partnerships between academics, companies and high-calibre graduates seeking to make an impact in the business environment. It enables companies to access the University's research expertise and facilities, academics to apply their knowledge to developing solutions to real-world problems and graduates to develop their business skills in tandem with involvement in hi-tech research at the University.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are part-funded by the Government, which reimburses a proportion of the University's costs. The company pays the rest - typically, for an SME, one third of the cost of the project plus its own business overheads.

For more details of the KTP scheme visit contact us at ktp@begbroke.ox.ac.uk, download our handout summarising the benefits of KTPs to each of the partners, or visit the schemes national websites at www.dti.gov.uk/ktp | www.ktponline.co.uk/

SAFENANO INITIATIVES:

Our most notable development being launch of a new 'Projects mini-section' of the
SAFENANO site, which details all of our past and ongoing projects, and provides access to many of the full reports which were produced as aresult of these. We'd appreciate your feedback on the information included in this section, so follow this link to have a look , and let us know your thoughts via our contact us link!

Elsewhere the fields of regulation, guidance and standards have seen a number of new developments emerge in the last week. This has been particularly true within the US, where the ASTM announced revision of its nanotechnology standard E2490 'Guide for Measurement of Particle Size Distribution of Nanomaterials in Suspension by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy' following conduction of a large-scale inter-laboratory
study, and the EPA also released a draft for consideration of 'Nanomaterial Case Studies: Titanium Dioxide'. This document aims to take a comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA) approach to evaluating NPs in products, which combines a product life-cycle framework with the risk assessment paradigm (the applications included
in the case study being sunscreen and water treatment). Overall, it provides both a source of information for interested parties, and an insight into the current thinking being employed by EPA toward consideration of the EHS issues surrounding regulatable products. On a more global scale, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies this week also announced the conference date and agenda for the project 'Regulating Nanotechnologies in the EU and US', which will include the
launch of its major report on "Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies". Finally the IEST has announced issue of new guidance for the design of AMC filtration systems.

Public engagement and interation was also in the headlines this week, with the launch of a pilot site for the new UK-based Nano&Me initiative, announcement from the CNSE that it has appointed a new co-ordinator for its NanoHealth Initiative, news from the InForm project announcing its plans to provide a boost for formulation science in nanotechnology.

Standards & Regulations

ASTM revises nanotechnology standard E2490
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=782

ASTM International has announced a revision to its nanotechnology standard E2490.

IEST issues guideline for the design of AMC filtration systems http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=786

The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) has provided guidance for the design of filtration systems to eliminate trace amounts of airborne molecular contamination (AMC).

Government & Policy

Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=788

EPA releases draft document 'Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and Topical Sunscreen'

Nanotoxicology & Ecotoxicology

Nanoparticles Affect Brain Development In Mice
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=783

Japansese researchers report that maternal exposure to nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) affects the expression of genes related to the central nervous system in developing mice

InForm project provides boost to formulation science for nanotechnologies
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=785

A new 1.7 million euro EU funded project involving 17 world-leading research institutions will encourage the transfer of ideas and knowledge in formulation science for nano.

Call For Papers: Nanotechnology Exposure Assessment
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=787

The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health is seeking submissions for a special issue exploring Human and Environmental Exposure Assessment for Nanomaterials.

Searching for engineered nanomaterials in the environment
http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=791

An article published in ES&T discusses the shift in environmental research related to nanomaterials away from the lab towards looking for real nanomaterials in the environment.

Identifying critical research needs for the eco-responsible development of nanotechnology http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=792

An article published in ACS Nano summarises the outcomes of the recent ICON - sponsored environmental workshop & identifies the critical research needs for eco-responsible nanotechnology development.

Cognition

Joseph Louis Rotman Scholarship

Please direct memorial cards for the Joseph Louis Rotman Scholarship Fund to:

The Rotman School of Management Attention: Anne Hilton 105 St. George Street Toronto, ON M5S 3E6

Entrepreneurial

Discovery 2014: Government Program Overviews

VantagePoint Capital Partners to help build influential companies

Reza Moridi

Minister of Research and Innovation

Opportunity Costs

Startups at MaRS.

Oxford's seven millionth book moved

Credit institutions rely on friendship Banking

Give to Oxford tax efficiently

North American Donors: Click here to donate tax efficiently through Americans for Oxford.

Canadian Financing Forum 2012

FEBRUARY 2 & 3, 2012 | FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM | VANCOUVER, BC

The Oxford Invention

Prof John Freely

please vote for science Oxford

To the worth of all seas

THz technique

Seasons Greeting

Oxford's BegBroke Science Park

Si NanoWire Biosensor

networks of protein interactions

Oxford's Begbroke science park

Faith of Silica nanoparticles in wastewater treatment

lab on a chip

We are your partner in Nano and Bio Manufacturing

Consult with us your industry needs

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rHEALTH is a portable handheld device that can diagnose hundreds of diseases using a single drop of blood with gold-standard accuracy. rHEALTH diagnoses biomarkers for an early warning sign of serious diseases.

Request Info: consultant@oxfaz.org

NANOPLEX™ biomarker detection

Oxford Photovoltaics

REQUEST QUOTATION AND EXPERT ADVICE: consultant@oxfaz.org

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: The APD Group works closely with industry and research partners, helping develop innovative technologies and conducting forwarding looking fundamental and applied research. http://mse.utoronto.ca/research/whatif/apd.htm

REQUEST QUOTATION: consultant@oxfaz.org

The Solar Energy Materials Initiative: OXFORD UNIVERSITY BEGBROKE SCIENCE PARK

_____________________________________________________

NEW OXFORD DEVELOPED COATING FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS WINS VENTURE PRIZE AWARD

28 June 2012, Researchers at the University of Oxford have won a major materials science prize to develop a high-technology coating with the potential to significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of new-generation solar photovoltaic cells.

Invent the future

Four generations of nanotechnology products: Roco

Nanotechnology Standards

Knowledge Transfer Partnership KTP

The Rotman School of Management
Attention: Anne Hilton
105 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3E6