Dear Colleague:

Has your research laboratory recently purchased or considered a next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform? Is it already using one? No wonder. NGS platforms enable faster and cheaper mapping of DNA/RNA, allowing genomic comparisons and accelerating genomic discoveries.

Are you overwhelmed with the rapidly evolving NGS sample preparation protocols, instrument upgrades and platforms, and data management and analysis? As technology rapidly advances, we are faced with a myriad of questions from customers, fellow researchers and staff: 
      - Is this the right technology to invest in?
      - Will my customers benefit from this change to our laboratory offerings?
      - How long will it take to incorporate into my laboratory?
These questions and many others will increase the pressure on yourself and your laboratory. This course will present strategies and solutions to maintain your platform(s) and manage your resources at maximum production.

We, the Scientific Advisory Committee of CHI’s Inaugural “Beyond Sequencing: Strategies for Success,” encourage you to consider attending the event. The scientific agenda is carefully designed to address central themes of sequencing project and data management. In addition, breakout sessions on deep re-sequencing for cancer and metagenomics will create a unique forum for exchanging ideas for best laboratory practices and efficient data analysis that leads to scientific results.

Finally, we are pleased to announce the Educational Workshop, “Core Facility Laboratory Evolution in the Genomics Revolution: Application of NGS Technologies as Shared Research Resources.” As instructors, we would like to invite you to participate and learn from our experiences as Core Lab managers. For more information about the workshop, visit our Satellite Educational Workshop page.

Joseph Boland
Dedicated Scientific Operations Leader
SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI/NIH

Mary Ann Brown
Executive Director, Conferences
Cambridge Healthtech Institute

George Grills
Advanced Technology Assessment
Life Sciences Core Lab Center
Cornell University

Kevin Knudtson
Director, DNA Facility
University of Iowa

Lisa White
Director, Microarray Core Facility
Baylor College of Medicine