Daily News

Posted on May 18: BioSummit2004@McMaster

The biotechnology and biosciences sector in the Golden Horseshoe region continues to grow and mature, with wide-ranging activity in industry and on research campuses throughout the area. On Wednesday, May 19, McMaster University will be the site of the Golden Horseshoe region's second Biosciences Innovation Summit, an excellent networking opportunity for the biosciences research and business communities. The idea of holding a BioSummit for the Golden Horseshoe region comes as a result of the province's Biotechnology Cluster Innovation Program (BCIP), whose goal is to "accelerate the development of Ontario's biotechnology clusters by supporting commercialization infrastructure projects such as research parks and other initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation."

Posted on May 14: McMaster scientists find link between particulate air pollution and heritable genetic mutation

Particles in the air we breathe may pose genetic risks to humans and wildlife, according to new findings by researchers at McMaster University. In December 2002, associate professor of biology James Quinn and PhD student Chris Somers made headlines when they announced findings that suggested some component of industrial air pollution had the potential to cause genetic damage. Now, joined by chemistry professor Brian McCarry, Quinn and Somers have been able to conclude that fine airborne particulate is the culprit. "Air pollution has the potential to affect millions of humans worldwide, and has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and genetic damage in other tissues," says Quinn, who was the principal investigator on the study. "These findings implicate exposure to airborne particulate matter as a principal factor contributing to elevated mutation rates in sentinel mice, and add to accumulating evidence that air pollution may pose genetic risks to humans and wildlife."