8:30 Chair’s Opening Remarks

8:40 Next Generation Sequencing; 454 Sequencing on the Roche Genome Sequencer
Michael Egholm, Ph.D., Vice President, Molecular Biology, 454 LifeSciences
In 2005 we launched the first Next Generation Sequencer which is rapidlybecoming the new standard for sequencing-based applications as evidencedby numerous peer reviewed articles in the most prestigious journals. Achallenge for the Next Generation Sequencing Systems has been short readlength to overcome the complexity of nearly all genomes. With thelaunch of the Genome Sequencer FLX system these barriers have beengreatly reduced with average read lengths of 250 bases. The FLX systemwill be described in detail including how highly accurate de novo readsare obtained and assembled. More importantly, several examples oftraditional and novel applications of ultra high throughput sequencingwill be presented.

9:30 The Next Generation is SOLID. Key Developments in the SOLiD™ System
Michael Rhodes, Ph.D., Applications Manager, High Throughput Discovery, Applied Biosystems
We describe here the development of a novel DNA sequencing technology. In this massively parallel approach, short fragment DNA populations are clonally amplified onto 1-micron beads, enriched and randomly deposited and attached onto glass arrays. The bead arrays are then placed into an automated flow cell where 4-color, fluorescently-labeled reagents are used to interrogate known template positions, and are delivered serially to sequence DNA strands. We demonstrate the use of DNA ligase and cleavable ligation substrates that allow bases to be recorded every 4th and 5th position of the template population. By serial stripping and sequencing the template with 5 offset sequencing primers and combining the results, all bases of the template are elucidated over a defined length. Attributes of sequential cycles of ligation and cleavage using 2-base encoded, 4-color fluorescently-labeled oligonucleotides include reduced signal-to-noise ratios and long read lengths, sequencing in both directions (5’ and 3’ sequencing) and enhanced ability for SNP detection.

10:20 Coffee, Poster and Exhibit Viewing

11:00 Roundtable Discussion
The $1000 Genome: Are We There Yet?
Host: Kevin Davies, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, BioIT World
Over the past few years, exciting advances in next-generation sequencing technology have seen the production of commercial instruments capable of profound improvements in sequence throughput and economy. Early applications include cancer genome analysis, microbial genomics, and the study of the Neanderthal genome. Competition in the field is increasingly intense, with start-ups vying with established life science instrument makers to provide the gold-standard technology that will drive us towards the threshold of the "$1000 genome.”
The expert panelists in this roundtable will review the current state of next-generation sequencing technologies and look ahead to new applications in science and medicine as well as highlight the many challenges that lay in store.

Panelists:
Richard Gibbs, Ph.D., Director, Human Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine (invited)
Michael Rhodes, Ph.D., Applications Manager, High Throughput Discovery, Applied Biosystems
Eddy Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories
Jay Shendure, Ph.D., Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Robert L. Strausberg, Ph.D., President, The Center for Advancement of Genomics, The J. Craig Venter Institute