The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group
Mid Atlantic Chapter
January 2012 Meeting
Automation User Meeting
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012
Place:
Rutgers
University, Rutgers Student Center,
126 College
Avenue, NJ 08901,
Tel: (732) 932-8821
.
Doors open at 5:00 pm for social hour and food.
Itinerary: Presentations - 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Scientists and academicians from all disciplines and industries are welcome to
submit an abstract for consideration.
The Laboratory Robotics Interest Group is sponsoring a meeting where the
automation end-user is first.
If you have ever wanted to share your automation experience and expertise with
fellow members of the LRIG, then this is the meeting for you.
Poster and Podium presentations are sought from automation end-users.
Abstracts are especially welcome from bench-level scientists who have used
automation to solve perplexing real world problems or have created unique
applications for laboratory robotics systems. End-user presentations about
the design and implementation of automated systems or novel software
applications are also welcome. Presentations may explore the history,
development, and philosophy of robotics and automation. Users who have
achieved expertise in a specific automation field are invited to present an
overview of that field. LRIG members are also invited to suggest topics
for potential sessions for this meeting. Scheduling preference will be
granted to members of the LRIG who have not made a presentation at a previous
meeting.
Presentations
RSC
Multi-Purpose Room C
·
Starting serious
bench-level molecular biology in local high schools
Sue Coletta, Senior
Science Education Specialist, Rutgers University
The Waksman Student
Scholars Program (WSSP), sponsored by the Rutgers Waksman Institute, engages
high school teachers and their students in authentic, molecular biology and
bioinformatic research. For the 2011-2012 period the students in the project
will isolate and sequence genes from Wolffia australiana (duckweed).
·
Development And
Use Of An Automated Protcol For Multiplex Elisa Analysis Of Selected Biomarkers
Performed On A Beckman Coulter FXP
Theodore E.
Mifflin, Ph.D.,Technical Director and Joseph Linnett, BA, Research Technician
Translational Core Laboratory Institute for Translational Medicine And
Therapeutics Presbyterian University Hospital University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
The Translational
Core Laboratory (TCL) at the University of Pennsylvania was asked to quantify
five specific molecules (e.g., IL-1b, IL-1ra, IL-6, TNF-a, and FGF-23) as
candidate biomarkers of Chronic Kidney Disease. After evaluating several
variables (e.g., # sample freeze:thaws, aliquoting needs, analysis throughput,
etc.), we chose the multiplex approach as performed on an automated liquid
handling platform. Custom operating software using Biomek and SAMI code was used
to integrate five different analysis 'families' into a unified program. Sample
analysis was completed in 8 months.
·
Comprehensive
assay of kinase catalytic activity reveals features of kinase inhibitor
selectivity and novel kinase-inhibitor interactions
Dr. Jeffrey R
Peterson , Associate Professor ,Fox Chase Cancer Center
In the November
issue of Nature Biotechnology, we reported the largest analysis of small
molecule inhibition of kinase catalytic activity, testing 178 compounds against
300 recombinant human protein kinases using a high-throughput form of a
substrate phosphorylation assay. The inhibitors tested include FDA-approved
drugs, compounds in the clinical pipeline, and research tool compounds. Many
off-target interactions were observed with seemingly unrelated kinases. Our
study represents a new paradigm in drug discovery in which chemical entities are
screened in parallel against large kinase panels rather than screening compounds
against individual kinases. This approach reveals the full spectrum of kinase
targets up-front, thus reducing late stage compound attrition in drug
development due to unknown off-target activities. Furthermore, this approach
will greatly facilitate the identification of "multitargeted" inhibitors which
are currently of great interest.
·
Learning Ally -
Bringing Technical Materials for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Leontyne Anglin, Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships,
Learning Ally
Learning Ally is a
group responsible for engaging and motivating volunteers, students, parents, and
Educators to help provide the blind, visually impaired, and learning different
populations with the services they need. This program explains how volunteers
can help to record and process the educational materials for the blind and
visually impaired. The presentation will discuss the specific need that exists
for professionals with backgrounds in the areas of science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology. Learning Ally has a collection of more than 65,000
digitally recorded textbooks and literature titles that is the largest of its
kind in the world.
Vendors
