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AACC Annual Meeting 2014 Will be a Meeting of Firsts
1 May 2014
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead
Industry news
It is that time of year when we start our countdown to the AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo. This year, the meeting is being held in Chicago from July 29-31. Each year the world’s largest clinical meeting offers attendees something new and different, and this year is definitely no exception. In fact the 2014 Annual Meeting is full of ‘firsts’.
New programming highlights:
- A President’s Invited Session, during which AACC President Dr. Steven Wong reflects on his longstanding interest in harnessing the power of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to tailor drug regimens and treatment protocols for better patient outcomes. He has invited two distinguished researchers, Drs. Douglas Lowy and Paul Keown, to discuss their work.
- There will also be a special Symposium sponsored by Clinical Chemistry. The Symposium will be moderated by Clinical Chemistry's Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Nader Rifai, and will cover three hot topics from Clinical Chemistry. The topics to be discussed are plasma genomic and methylomic sequencing for cancer detection; the utility of bioavailable vitamin D in health and disease; and the role of oral fluid testing in clinical and forensic settings.
Going green on presentation material:
- This year, all educational materials will be available online prior to the meeting, and Symposia, which typically didn't offer handouts at all, will do so electronically in advance of the meeting. Short Course and Brown Bag registrants also will be able to download materials prior to those sessions.
New specialized poster tours:
- 11 AACC Divisions will, for the first time, be offering specialized poster tours. These free, expert-led walk-throughs will give participants a thorough overview of abstracts in each division's respective area of interest.
New product showcase promotion:
- New Product Showcase items will be displayed on jumbo screens in rotating 12-second images and videos just outside the McCormick Place Convention Center exhibit hall. Attendees will be able to learn more about specific products using touch screens just below the jumbo screens.
These are just some of the ‘firsts’ taking place during the week of the Annual Meeting. As if this isn’t enough to look forward to, a free lunch will be provided on Wednesday and Thursday, for all conference and expo-only registrants, courtesy of Clinical Laboratory News.
To find out more and register for the meeting, click here.
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Genome AnalysisGenomics, the study of genomes, includes functional genomics, evolutionary genomics and comparative genomics. There are many genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing of whole genomes, computational biology and bioinformatics. DNA and nucleic acids must be isolated and concentrated from cells for analysis with kits, automated analyzers and software. Other useful technologies for studying genomics include PCR, microarrays and electrophoresis.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. 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POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Embryology / IVFEmbryology refers to the development of an embryo resulting from the fertilization of the ovum, to fetus stage. In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to the fertilization of the egg outside of the human body, and is an important treatment for infertility.AACCThe American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo is the largest meeting for clinical laboratory professionals in the world. This year's meeting is being held in Atlanta, USA, July 26th-30th, 2015.