Registration

PCR-Perfect: a Multifaceted Reagent for Optimizing PCR Amplification and Analysis
John Rice, Senior Research Scientist, Brandeis University, United States of America

PCR-Perfect is a novel non-amplifiable reagent that suppresses all forms of mis-priming, serves as a temperature-mark to reveal reaction-to-reaction variations in composition, and serves as an internal standard.

Coffee Break & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Single-tube Mutation Scanning of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene using Multiplex LATE-PCR and Lights-On/Lights-Off Probes
J. Aquiles Sanchez, Senior Research Scientist, Brandeis University, United States of America

We describe a clinically-compatible, single-tube PCR method for sensitive screening  of samples with mutations in EGFR exons 18-21 that determine the response of cancer patients to anti-EGFR therapies. The method generates unique fluorescent signatures that are characteristic of the amplified gene sequences.

Highly Divergent Gene Families are Efficiently Amplified Using Low-concentration Initiator Primers
Kenneth Pierce, Senior Research Scientist, Brandeis University, United States of America

Detecting sequences of divergent bacterial or viral genes can be challenging. LATE-PCR consensus primers combined with low concentrations of initiator primers (i Primers) enable consistent amplification of such targets, including the CTX-M antibiotic resistance gene family.

Technology Spotlight:
Finding Your Way Through the Bioinformatics Maze
Sarah Lynagh, COO, Fios Genomics Ltd

Practical approaches to getting to the most from ‘omic data sets and using the emerging technologies in a practical way.

Lunch & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

Sepsis, MRSA, VAP: Molecular Pathogen and Antibiotic Resistance Detection in a Single Tube Multiplex LATE-PCR Assay
Arthur Reis, Senior Research Scientist, Brandeis University, United States of America

LATE-PCR single tube multiplex assays for the detection of Sepsis, MRSA and VAP infections including antibiotic resistance genes will be described from assay design to testing on clinical samples.

Analysis of Heteroplasmy Among Mitochondrial Genomes at the Single Molecule Level using LATE-PCR and Allied Technologies
Adam Osborne, Researcher, Brandeis University, United Kingdom

A LATE-PCR Lights-On/Lights-Off probe assay was developed to look for mutations in the mitochondrial genome.  Exposure of both HepG2 and CCD-1112Sk cells to 3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) caused a significant increase in mutations in regions of the HV2 and ND1 genes.

Coffee Break & Networking in Exhibition Hall

DiSSeCT Technology Provides Mutation Enrichment Prior to PCR or COLD-PCR and Enables Detection of Traces of Rare Mutations in Cancer Samples
Mike Makrigiorgos, Professor, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, United States of America

Multiplex detection of low-level mutant alleles in the presence of wild-type DNA is useful for several fields of medicine including cancer, pre-natal diagnosis and infectious diseases. We present DiSSeCT, a new technology that enables detection of traces of mutations in cancer and circulating DNA when combined with PCR.

Development and Validation of a High Sensitivity SNaPshot Assay for Mutation Profiling of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients
Preveen Ramamoorthy, Assistant Professor/Director, National Jewish Health, United States of America

Non-small cell lung carcinoma represents the primary cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States. Molecular profiling of tumor mutations is the key to implementation of a personalized therapeutic approach for NSCLC patients. Our laboratory has developed a molecular diagnostic test for NSCLC based on SNaPshot methodology for resected NSCLC tumor specimens.  Our challenge was to extend the SNaPshot assay to much smaller specimens, such as transbronchial biopsy samples as well as core-needle biopsies.

Round Table Discussions in the Exhibition Hall

End of Day One

Hot Start dNTPs for Nucleic Acid Amplification and Analysis
Natasha Paul, Senior Scientific Investigator, TriLink BioTechnologies, United States of America

Hot Start dNTPs are a distinct approach that provides a specific, sensitive and flexible alternative to hot-start DNA polymerases in PCR. This presentation will highlight the latest advancements as applied to routine and more advanced nucleic acid detection schemes.

Coffee Break & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Lunch & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Poster Viewing Session

High Throughput mRNA and Protein Expression Profiling by qPCR – From Complex Samples to Single Cells
Mikael Kubista, Professor/Founder, TATAA Biocenter AB, Sweden

I will present new advancements in single cell expression profiling including multianalyte profiling of DNA, mRNA, microRNA and proteins using qPCR.

Assessment of Transcriptional Activity of Borrelia burgdorferi and Host Cytokine Genes During Early and Late Infection in a Mouse Model
Emir Hodzic, Director, University of California Davis, United States of America

The main aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of low-density array (LDA) to study multiple gene expression of Borrelia burgdorferi during infection and host responses to infection.

Coffee Break & Networking in Exhibition Hall

Comprehensive microRNA Expression Profiling in Lineage Specific Human Hematopoiesis
Nalini Raghavachari, Scientist/Director, National Institutes of Health, United States of America

MicroRNAs constitute a recently discovered class of non-coding RNAs that play key roles in the regulation of gene expression. In human hematopoiesis, that requires a tight control of gene expression, it would be beneficial to elucidate the regulatory role of miRNAs in lineage specific gene expression for identifying novel drug targets.  This presentation would delineate the differentiation expression of miRNA during lineage specific cell differentiation and their potential targets in hematopoiesis.

Close of Conference