4th Annual Molecular Diagnostics Virtual Event

April 10 was the opening day of our 4^th Annual Molecular Diagnostics Virtual Event, which highlighted current research findings concerning digital biosensors, next-generation sequencing, and best practices for laboratories to survive the complexities of these technological advancements. Watch any of the webinars On-Demand and explore exhibitor and poster halls at your convenience. Participate in the gamification feature; the top three event point leaders will win a free t-shirt from our store. Michael Crossey, MD, Ph.D., who is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of TriCore Reference Laboratories, opened the event with his keynote presentation, Clinical Lab 2.0--How Laboratories Can Thrive in a Value-Based Care System. Dr. Crossey has been affiliated with TriCore Labs for 22 years facilitating access to laboratory information for healthcare professionals and clinicians. In his presentation, Dr. Crossey covers the laboratory’s role in value-based healthcare, the impacts of big data on clinical outcomes, and pursuing new areas in leadership with non-traditional stakeholders. The second keynote presentation, Nucleic Acid Detection with CRISPR Diagnostics, was given by Omar Abudayyeh, Ph.D. and Jonathan Gootenberg, Ph.D. Both speakers are MIT McGovern Institute Fellows at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The focus of this webinar provided viewers an understanding of the use of CRISPR enzymes Cas12 and Cas13 in the development of a “CRISPR-based diagnostic test (CRISPR-Dx) that provides rapid DNA or RNA detection with attomolar sensitivity and single-base mismatch specificity.” The use of CRISPR is a rapid and inexpensive method of nucleic acid detection that may prove to be important clinically in point-of-care pathogen identification and disease monitoring. Laboratory testing and its role in the treatment of patients in the clinical realm must change to survive due to advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Elizabeth Marlowe, Ph.D., D(ABMM) and Joanna Sickler, MPH, MBA discuss best practices required to establish value in laboratory testing as they move from a volume-based model to that of a value-based one. New skill sets will be needed for Clinical Laboratory Scientists, leaders, and managers. To gain regulatory approval for testing, “clinical evidence must demonstrate in the real world how diagnostic results are integrated into a clinical care continuum and utilized to guide patient care to support value.” Additional notable topics covered in the webinar presentations included current findings in next-generation sequencing by speakers Tony Magliocco, MD and Keith Gligorich, Ph.D. as well as two discussions on advancements in biosensor (nanoelectronic) technologies by Brett Goldsmith, Ph.D. and Kiana Aran, Ph.D.

“Very nice speaker panels.” –Sergio R.

The educational poster exhibits located in the poster hall provide another opportunity to view research findings of experts within the field of molecular diagnostics. They represent a wide range of scientific investigations such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer, Parkinson’s disease, HIV-1, and several studies in genetics/genomics. Although the information in the poster exhibits is not peer-reviewed, attendees can download any of the posters to share and discuss with colleagues.

“I invited my friends to this conference. Very interesting topics.” –Tomasz M.