Welcome

Dear Colleague:

Over 275 thought leaders gathered at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel in January 2004 at Cambridge Healthtech Insitute’s Inaugural High-Content Analysis meeting. The level of energy and participation reflected the booming interest in this growing field. Just a year later, we are returning to the Fairmont with an expanded four-day, two-track program, a comprehensive Trade Show, and multiple User Group meetings hosted by leading technology providers. HCA 2005 will be the largest and most comprehensive event dedicated to this rapidly evolving field. Whether you are an HCA expert or a new adopter, this is the annual event you can’t afford to miss!

I have been fortunate to follow the HCA field for over five years, in my previous job as an editor and now as a conference director. The technology (including instruments, assays, and informatics) has certainly come a long way, but at the same time still faces many of the same (and new) challenges. It has been interesting to see HCA penetrate from secondary/tertiary screening applications into all stages of drug screening, and particularly functional genomics and target validation areas. The HCA 2005 program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of all areas where HCA is making an impact, as well as focus specifically on the “hot topics” emerging in 2005. The meeting also anticipates the growing technological challenges and provides a working forum for the HCA community to put their heads together to move the field forward. 

So get some sleep before you come to the meeting; you won’t want to miss any part of the packed agenda. Here are some highlights from the program:

	Two Tracks: The concurrent tracks reflect the two key application areas in HCA: compound screening and pathway analysis. The well-balanced agenda allows you to choose the application sessions most relevant to your work, while joining your colleagues for technology sessions and networking events.
	New Technology Highlights: Learn about the latest advances in instrumentation, reagents and informatics at the New Technology and New Company Showcases, Technology Workshops, User Group Meetings hosted by key technology providers, and the expanded Trade Show floor.
	Unparalleled Networking: The largest gathering of HCA end-users and technology providers.  Brainstorm key issues with your peers and meet future partners during a multitude of facilitated and open networking opportunities, including the End-User Forum, Focus Groups, ThinkTank sessions, panel discussions, and receptions.
	Expanded Trade Show: One-stop-shop for instrumentation, reagents, and informatics: all you need to set up and run your HCA lab. The one place where the market leaders and new players come together to showcase their technologies.
	End-User Forum: The “end-users only” forum features a series of facilitated discussions addressing key challenges in implementing HCA technologies. Brainstorm practical solutions and learn from your peers during this informal and “off-the-record” discussion. No talks… No vendors… No pressure…
	End-User/Vendor Dialogue: A facilitated discussion between the End-User Task Force and the Vendor Task Force aims to engage the technology providers and users in determining the best strategies to accelerate the adoption of HCA technology (including new product development and overcoming existing technical challenges).
	ThinkTank Session: Concurrent roundtable discussions provide a small-circle forum to discuss key issues in an informal atmosphere, learn from your peers, and meet potential partners. Each roundtable targets a key issue in HCA.
	Focus Groups: A series of short talks and interactive panel discussions is a perfect format to brainstorm the practical strategies for successful implementation of HCA technology and to learn from your peers.
	Co-Located User Group Meetings: Half-day programs, hosted by leading technology providers, allow you to share your experience with a group of peers using the same technology. I would like to thank Cellomics and GE Healthcare for using HCA 2005 as the venue to host their User Group Meetings.

While the program for HCA 2005 is nearly finalized, the work will continue between now and January. The End- User and Vendor Task Forces will work on structuring a productive discussion onsite. The agenda for the New Company Showcase will be finalized closer to the meeting in order to bring you the latest news. I invite you visit the official Web site for HCA 2005, www.highcontentanalysis.com, for updated information, event news, white papers, and free downloads.

I look forward to meeting you in sunny San Francisco!

Julia Boguslavsky, Conference Director
Phone: 781-972-5482 • Email: juliab@healthtech.com