MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
8:00 – 9:00 am
Short Course Registration and Morning Coffee
9:00 – 12:00 pm
Short Course 1: Digital PCR: A Technology Primer
Alexandra Whale, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Molecular and Cell Biology Team, Science and Innovation Division, LGC Group
The principles of dPCR will be explained, together with a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the technique when compared to real-time qPCR. The course will provide an overview of different dPCR platforms and their specifications. The application of dPCR in a number of fields including cell free nucleic acid analysis, cancer diagnosis, infectious disease testing and reference materials will be discussed. Background to the Digital MIQE guidelines will also be presented together with a discussion addressing its criteria such as assay optimization and definition of precision and bias.
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Short Course 2: Single Cell Analysis Technologies: Ready and Able
Michael Masterman-Smith, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Cynvenio Biosystems, Inc.
This course provides an informative overview of emerging tools and technologies for the study and analysis of single cells. As this field continues to grow, the course will focus on technologies on the market or are at the stage of development for partnering and early adoption. Promising technologies for the study of various cellular components (genes, proteins, etc.) and cell types (rare cells, stem cells, circulating tumor cells, etc.) will be discussed with emphasis on how the platforms operate, level of throughput, data generation and analysis, and practical considerations in determining applicability to a given industrial or institutional scientific endeavor.
*separate registration required
Speaker Biographies