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In its 9th year, this meeting is addressing the ever-challenging needs around extracting, creating and keeping samples and templates of highest quality, as this is the key factor for producing high-throughput data of optimal quality. For a successful data output, state-of-the-art information on the rapidly emerging integration of technologies is necessary and it will be presented in this conference. Some of the pressing questions to be addressed are:
What is the current status of validation of reference materials?
How can the QC of templates be ensured?
What are the current storage options?
How do sample collection parameters influence functional assays?
Tuesday, June 9
9:50 am Conference Registration
PLENARY SESSION:
10:45 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Translating Small Genetic Contributions into Large Effects Using Phylogenetic Analyses
Allen D. Roses, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Jefferson-Pilot Professor of Neurobiology and Genetics; Director, Deane Drug Discovery Institute; Senior Scholar, Fuqua School of Business; Member, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy; President of Shiraz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
11:30 FEATURED SPEAKER
Multilocus Analysis of Sequence and Genotype Data
Nicholas J. Schork, Ph.D., Director of Research, Scripps Genomic Medicine, Director of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, The Scripps Translational Science
Most diseases of contemporary public health concern, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, are influenced by a number of genetic and non-genetic factors, each with small to moderate effect. Identifying genetic factors via genotyping and sequencing-based association strategies will thus be difficult if the combined effects of these genetic factors are not taken into consideration in a relevant association analyses. This talk will describe ways in which multilocus effects can be accommodated in association analysis strategies.
2:00 pm Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
2:05 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Recent Developments in Blood Transcriptomics: Prime Time for Clinical Diagnostics?
Joachim L. Schultze, M.D., Professor; Director, Genomics and Immunoregulation, LIMES (Life and Medical Sciences Bonn), Program Unit Molecular Immune & Cell Biology, University of Bonn
A decade ago, Todd Golub and colleagues introduced the first study on blood transcriptomics suggesting differential diagnosis of acute myeloid and acute lymphatic leukemia by gene expression profiling. Ten years later, we are still missing a clinically applicable test using blood transcriptomics. We will highlight most recent developments and will discuss issues that have to be addressed in the near future so that blood transcriptomics can become part of daily clinical diagnostics for major diseases.
2:45 Prolonged Storage of Plasmid DNAs under Different Conditions: Effects on Plasmid Integrity, Spectral Characteristics, and DNA Sequence Quality
Jan Kieleczawa, Ph.D., M.B.A., Wyeth Research/BT
As the DNA is often stored for prolonged periods of time before use, the understanding of factors influencing its stability is of great importance. High quality DNA is needed for many molecular biology applications such as gene therapy, transformation, restriction analysis, PCR and sequencing. If a good method is used to prepare DNA then the plasmid DNA is stable for many years as measured e.g. by transformation efficiency or by agarose gel electrophoresis. Conversely, poor purification methods may lead to faster degradation of plasmid DNA.In this talk we will discuss the effect of prolonged storage of plasmid DNAs under different conditions (temperature, salt conditions) on DNA sequencing patterns, spectral characteristics and band integrity.
3:15 Optimization of RNA Extraction from FFPE Tissues
Brian Leyland-Jones, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Emory Winship Cancer Institute; Associate Vice President, Woodruff Health Sciences
3:45 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
4:00 Networking Refreshment Break, Poster and Exhibit Viewing
4:45 Quality DNA and RNA from Small Tissue Samples
Deborah A. Triant, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University
Purification of high-quality DNA and RNA from a single sample is becoming increasingly important for studies seeking both genomic and transcriptomic data. Here, we compare different methods for isolating DNA and RNA from fish embryos and describe an optimal technique
to extract high-quality DNA and RNA from a single sample. Although these extraction trials were conducted on fish embryos, they can be potentially applied to small samples that typically do not yield high concentrations of nucleic acids.
5:15 Optimization of DNA and RNA Isolation and Purification
Mogens Kruhøffer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, AROS Applied Biotechnology A/S
As a part of the 7th EU frame program, AROS is seeking to expand the potentials and utility of in-vitro diagnostics through the creation of new standards, pre-analytical tools and procedures such as the collection, handling and processing of blood, tissue, tumor and other sample materials. We are testing existing new tools along with the development of novel assays and biomarkers, where we focus on mRNA and microRNA biomarkers in peripheral blood for response to treatment in advanced colorectal cancer.
5:45 Close of Day