Support of the Eighth International Symposium on Biological Polyesters (ISBP 2000); Cambridge, MA; September 11-14, 2000

生物聚酯国际研讨会将于2000年9月11日至14日在马萨诸塞州的剑桥举行。 本次会议的重点是生物聚酯研究的发展，这是化学，材料和生物科学的接口领域，直接应用于生物技术，医学和基础生物研究。 这一快速发展的领域已成为工业和医疗领域的关注焦点，以满足对生物启发和环境可生物降解特种聚合物日益增长的需求。 计划会议期间的讨论包括关于理解和操纵不同生物系统（植物和微生物）中合成和降解途径的最新进展及其对聚合物设计和开发的影响的会议。 生物聚酯在医药、日用品和化学品领域的实际应用也将在专门的会议上介绍。 来自世界各地的约200名学术界和工业界科学家将出席会议。%该奖项由材料研究和生物工程与环境系统部门共同支持，为美国参与者提供部分支持。

An International Symposium on Biological Polyesters will be held from September 11-14thm, 2000, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This conference focuses on developments in the study of biological polyesters, a field at the interface of chemical, materials and biological sciences with direct applications in biotechnology, medicine and basic biological research. This rapidly expanding field has become the focus of great interest in both industrial and medical sectors, responding to the increasing need for bioinspired and environmentally biodegradable specialty polymers. Discussions during the planned conference include sessions on recent advance in the understanding and manipulation of synthesis and degradation pathways in different biological systems (plants and microbes) and their impact on polymer design and development. Practical applications of biological polyesters in fields of medicine, commodities, and chemicals will also be presented in dedicated sessions. The conference will be attended by approximately 200 academic and industrial scientists from around the world.%%%This award, co-supported by the Division of Materials Research and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems, provides partial support for U.S. participants.