Molecular Diagnostics World Congress Agenda

Registration

Rapid, Ultrasensitive Biomolecular Detection in Unpurified Samples with Chip-based Sensors
Shana Kelley, Professor, University of Toronto, Canada

Our research group recently developed a microchip platform that exhibits detection of nucleic acids with sensitivity enabling the direct, PCR-free analysis of clinical samples. This platform has now been optimized further to detect oncogenes in cancer cells at remarkably low levels, and bacterial targets at clinically relevant concentrations.

Fully Automated Molecular Testing; Pre-commercial Evaluation of a Cassette Based System Versus Existing Methods for HSV
Nathalie Visomblin, Manager Assay Development, GenturaDx, United States of America

Coffee & Networking in Exhibition Hall

From Gene Panels to Genomes: The Progression of Next Generation Sequencing into the Clinical Laboratory
Karl Voelkerding, Professor/Medical Director, The University of Utah, United States of America

This presentation will describe the translational landscape with respect to the ongoing introduction of next generation sequencing into the clinical laboratory. This rapidly evolving area poses both substantial opportunities and implementation challenges for clinical laboratories.

Portable and Handheld TIRF Sensors for Accurate and Rapid Molecular Diagnostics
Alexander Asanov, Scientific Director, TIRF Technologies, United States of America

This presentation describes principles and applications of novel platform technology - TIRF-EC. Experimental data are reported that show ultimate limit of detection, simultaneous detection of multiple DNA/RNA and protein markers with no or minimum sample preparation stages.

Technology Spotlight

Lunch & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Free Workshop
Single Sample, Single Slice, Single Prep, Single Well… Multiple Answers
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Poster Presentations

Sample-in Answer-out: Complex Molecular Diagnostics Assays on a Chip
Holger Becker, Chief Scientific Officer, Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Germany

We present strategies and examples to put complex molecular diagnostics assays including amplification steps onto microfluidic-enabled cartridges for the detection of both viral and bacterial infections.

Coffee & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Exosomes Detection and Speciation by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) – Potential Biomarkers for a Broad Range of Diseases
Jeremy Warren, Chief Executive Officer, NanoSight Limited, United Kingdom

Exosomes represent a new and ubiquitous class of interacellular signalling structure and as such can be used as diagnostivc structures. NanoParticle Tracking Analysis uniquely allows for their visualisation, sizing and counting and, through the use of fluorescent labels, their phenotyping.

The Semiconductor Approach to Real-time, Label-free Molecular Diagnostics at the Point-of-Care
Chris Toumazou, Founder and CEO, DNA Electronics, United Kingdom

A rapid, point-of-care, system-on-chip solution for personalized medicine and infectious disease screening will be presented. This is an all-electronic, label-free, molecular diagnostic platform that digitally translates nucleic acid detection into clinically actionable information.

Panel Discussion: Venture Capitalists’ Best Practices on Commercializing Innovation
John Steuart, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Claremont Creek Ventures, United States of America

Successful venture capital investing in molecular diagnostics requires proper commercialization of innovation. But how does this innovation get brought to market? The panel will explore the challenges of commercialization in a still-difficult business environment. These challenges include the cost-efficient development of technology that is truly disruptive yet cost-competitive. Panelists will discuss how to best determine the size of a market and how to assess a competitive landscape. Startups that surmount these challenges then have to weigh the best route to capitalize on the investment, typically via acquisition or an IPO. While IPOs are typically most desired, VCs will discuss why acquisitions are far more common, as well as the pros and cons of guiding the development of a startup for an eventual sale. Panelists: Samuel Colella, Co-founder, Versant Ventures Risa Stack, Partner, Perkins Caufield & Byers Alexander de Winter, Partner Mohr Davidow

Drinks Reception

Affordable and Self-contained Molecular Diagnostics for Global Health Settings
Ivan Dimov, Associate Professor, UCB, United States of America

We present a self-contained integrated microfluidic blood analysis system (SIMBAS). Key innovations such as degas driven flow, micro-sedimentation separation and loop-mediated isothermal ampli?cation have enabled the robust and affordable integration of molecular diagnostic procedures into a portable stand-alone micro-device.

Molecular Diagnosis of Fungal Keratitis by the Polymerase Chain Reaction
Philip Thomas, Associate Director/Professor, Joseph Eye Hospital, India

PCR was compared to culture for diagnosis of fungal keratitis. Both techniques yielded identical results in more than 92% of 121 corneal samples tested. PCR rapidly detected fungal DNA in almost 51% while culture was positive in 43.1%.of samples.

Molecular Diagnostics & Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer
Xiao Xu, Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, United States of America

The presentation describes a real-time toxin quantitative detection system for diagnosis and assessment of Clostridium difficile infections.

Coffee & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Lunch & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Presentations

Molecular Diagnostics & Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer
Yueyun Ma, Director of Clinical Lab, Foruth Military Medical University, China

For early diagnosis of prostate cancer, the use of specific monoclonal antibody and signaling protein was documented. Especially useful serum miRNA were identified using microarray and TaqMan assay. This will discussed in this presentation.

Emerging Classes of Biomarkers: microRNA and Epigenetics Signatures
Enal Razvi, Managing Director, Select Biosciences Inc, United States of America

There is the need to identify and validate biomarkers with tight association with different diseases. microRNA expression patterns have been identified as signatures for various disease classes, most notably different types of cancer. This presentation will focus upon a survey of microRNA expression patterns as well as methylation patterns of important genes such as tumor suppressors which are known to be methylated in various cancer types. We will describe our industry analysis of these spaces and the market opportunity they offer as biomarkers.

Coffee & Networking in Exhibition Hall

The (Semi-) Blockbuster Diagnostic
Steven Bodovitz, Principal, Bioperspectives, United States of America

The new era of molecular diagnostics requires a new era of business models.

Close of Conference