Tuesday, June 27

7:15am Breakfast Technology Workshop (Sponsorship Available)

9:00 Comments by Session Chairperson

9:05 Screening for All Pathogens in Parallel: Is It Possible?
Dr. Syed Hashsham, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University
Detection of many pathogens in parallel by using their signature oligonucleotide sequences on DNA biochips is one of the main areas of research. Successful development of such biochips, however, requires innovative validation strategies, accurate characterization of probe behavior under varying sample matrices, and enhancement in sensitivity. This presentation will present the current state of science for such parallel detection biochips.

9:35 Multiplexed Detection of SARS-CoV and Enteropathogenic Bacteria
Dr. Steve Kornguth, Director, Center for Strategic and Innovative Technologies, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin together with Radix BioSolutions (Georgetown, TX) have developed a Luminex based multiarray system to rapidly screen biological samples for the presence of genes coding for pathogenicity islands within enteropathogenic bacteria and for pathogenicity factors of SARS-CoV virus. Gene probes were developed that reacted specifically with amplicons from 16 pathogenicity islands of bacteria, for 6 amplicons prepared from the genes coding the SARS-CoV M and 6 amplicons prepared coding the SARS-CoV N proteins. Each of the probes was multiplexed with the entire enteric pathogen panel (comprised of 57 unique probe conjugated beads representing 16 pathogenicity islands) and specific reactions were shown in all cases. A matrix of the type and occurrence of each pathogenicity island as well as the pattern of multiple islands existent in a sample will be constructed and examined to define specific patterns of occurrence associated with pathogenicity. This matrix forms the basis for establishing diagnostics for general threat conditions, independent of any particular organism.

10:05 Networking Coffee Break, Poster and Exhibit Viewing

11:05 DNA Assays used for Detection and Characterization of Select Agent Microorganisms
Dr. Susan W. Jones, MFS, Collection Scientist, Bacteriology, American Type Culture Collection/BEI Resources
Presentation of some of the DNA assays that are used for the detection and genetic characterization of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia mallei and Brucella abortus. These select agent microorganisms are historically significant having been experimented with, or used as a bioweapon or as a terrorist agent, and are the subject of intense research. If the presence of a select agent is suspected, sensitive and specific assays for rapid DNA detection and identification are used; however, DNA methods for microbial genetic characterization may also be applied in order to further characterize the strain and potentially determine the source of the microorganism. Methods utilized by scientists at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) within the Division of Microbiology for select agent microbial DNA analyses will be discussed.

11:35 Electrochemical Multispecific Molecular Detection System
Dr. Matt Aldissi, President, Senior Staff Scientist, Fractal Systems, Inc.
This work focuses on the development of a rapid, simple and inexpensive PCR-free molecular detection system to address biodefense diagnostic needs. The aim is to achieve detection of biowarfare pathogens of viral and bacterial nature, together with antibiotic resistance, in minutes in one step using basic electrochemical equipment. The research targets priority biowarfare pathogens using a novel diagnostic approach utilizing direct electrochemical detection of nucleic acids with ultrathin conductive polymer films, with emphasis on sensitivity and specificity of DNA and RNA detection. This will be an excellent and affordable alternative to currently used PCR-based methods for the point-of-care testing.

12:05pm Technology Watch  Enhance productivity. Reduce labor. Produce better results. Find out what new products and services are on the market to help with these daily challenges. For more information, contact Arnie Wolfson at awolfson@healthtech.com.

1:50 Comments by Session Chairperson

2:00 Q-PCR for the Analysis of Residual DNA in Biologics
Dr. Xing Wang, Senior Principal Scientist, Global Biologics, Pfizer, Inc.
This is a new application of RT-PCR in Biologics development, offering great advantage in many aspects including sensitivity, throughput and cost reduction. 

2:30 Transcription-Mediated Amplification Based Assays for Detection of Human Viruses
Dr. Daniel P. Kolk, Associate Director, Research and Development, Gen-Probe Incorporated
Over 80% of the U.S. blood supply is screened for HIV-1 and HCV RNA using a TMA-based assay. It is a legitimate alternative to PCR and more molecular biologists need to be exposed to the mechanism of TMA and its applications.

3:00 Refreshment Break, Poster and Exhibit Viewing

3:30 Use of Molecular Tools for Diagnosing Neonatal Sepsis
Dr. Jeanne Jordan, Associate Professor, Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Women’s Hospital and Research Institute
Speed is of the essence when evaluating an infant with symptoms consistent with sepsis. Because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with neonatal sepsis, infants receive at least two broad-spectrum antibiotics to cover both gram positive and gram negative bacteria while awaiting blood culture results. Combining real-time PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene together with DNA sequencing could prove a faster means of detecting and identifying bacteria than culture-based identification, and thus provide appropriately tailored antibiotic therapy sooner to infected infants, while sparing infants the administration of unnecessary antibiotics.

4:00 DNA Purification and Analysis on Nanoengineered Surfaces for Blood Contaminants
Dr. Michael Reed, Director, R&D, Blood CellStorage , Inc. and Owner, BioConjugate Consulting
Microfluidics devices are being developed to isolate genomic DNA and distribute standardized DNA solutions for downstream analysis. There is no evaporation of solutions in the disposable cards and no chance for contamination. Nanoscale molecular structures have been developed to function as “DNA reading stations” to monitor DNA isolation and amplification processes in the devices. Glass surfaces are known to bind DNA in the presence of chaotropic salt solutions and binding capacity of various substrates have been examined. A separate surface in the device, modified with DNA specific fluorescent dyes, allows the amount of DNA in each chamber to be monitored.

4:15 Fluorescence-Based Multiplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Blood Borne Pathogens
Dr. A. Selvapandiyan, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Disease, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration
A SYBR Green 1 fluorescence based multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of certain blood borne pathogens viz., Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and Leishmania species. For the category A select agents their vaccine/surrogate strains were used. As a novel approach for pathogen semi-quantitation, the Tm peak height of the amplicon was correlated with a known standard curve of pathogen spiked samples. This assay was able to detect DNA in blood spiked with less than 50 target cells/ml for all the pathogens. The sensitivity of the assay was tested on blood samples from mice infected with the vaccine strain of B. anthracis and patients infected with Leishmania donovani. This assay is rapid and potentially useful for rapidly diagnosing and monitoring the efficacy of drugs or vaccines in infected individuals. 

4:45 Interactive Panel Discussion with all Afternoon Speakers

5:15 Close of Day Two