M arch 11-14 scientific employees of the company “Vega” Alkor Bio Group of Companies – Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics, Alexander Pavlov, and the Chief of the molecular genetic diagnosis Arseny Smirnov – took part in a poster presentation at the 12th Conference on Human Genetics HGM2012, which this year held in Sydney (Australia).
Poster presentation of staff of the St. Petersburg company “Vega” was devoted to the results of the development of diagnostic test kits in the form of a microchip to identify mutations in the gene for cystic fibrosis.
Human Genome Meeting – the largest conference in the world dedicated to the study of the human genome. This time it was attended by over 800 representatives of the international scientific community: the prominent scientists of Genetics, heads of research groups, laboratories and research institutes. Russia was represented by only two poster presentations, one of which – the company “Vega”.
Reports HGM2012 speakers focused on the most interesting and important scientific results from the field of human genetics. In addition, the audience of the conference presented the results of years of research a number of research groups, working either in the major biotech corporations, or in academia. Learn more about Health News!
The conference also hosted the exhibition, here’s leading biotechnology companies in Western Europe and the U.S. have demonstrated the latest technologies to bring the analysis of the genome to a whole new level of quality. Some examples of equipment available at the exhibition, has not even entered the market and are not known to the public.
In particular, the exhibition demonstrated the technique of analysis of nucleic acids – digitalPCR, which in future will allow for a quantitative diagnosis of infectious diseases in less time and with minimal cost. According to experts, this revolutionary method of changing the approach to finding in a sample of single copies of DNA molecules.
“There is a feeling that in the coming years, this new technology will also penetrate into the Russian laboratory and diagnostic practice – says the head of the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics Company” Vega “Alkor Bio CC Alexander Pavlov – hence the visit to the exhibition and familiarity with this method is already directs us to a detailed study of this technique to further prepare for the development of diagnostic kits suitable for use with such equipment. ”
Also on display was presented to a number of devices for polnogenomnogo analysis, including the highly anticipated device – Ion Proton from the company Life Technologies – according to the manufacturer, it will sequence the complete human genome in a short time span and minimum cost. This means that everywhere in the world will be available polnogenomnye extensive research, including in clinical practice.
Another sensational new product, a demonstration which took place in the exhibition – the third-generation sequencer. To fully appreciate the dignity of this device, you can recall the recent outbreak of E. coli in Europe, where only the identification of the infectious agent has taken more than a week. The use of a new method for sequencing will allow such studies for several hours, which will help counteract the rapid spreading of the epidemic.
In addition to participating in the conference HGM2012, employees of “Vega” also visited two major research center in Melbourne: Institute Baker IDI and the state’s largest laboratory service in Australia – AGRF, specializing in molecular genetic studies.
Institute Baker IDI – a large clinic, which is developing new treatments for blood disorders and diabetes, as well as diagnosis and search for new markers of these diseases. Non-profit organization conducting genetic studies AGRF for health care, research laboratories, epidemiological services, agriculture in Australia. The organization – one of the largest in the world, there is the most modern technology for polnogenomnyh research. During the week AGRF can “read” up to a dozen human genomes, it is a very good figure for comparison – the first human genome have read 13 years.
“As a result of this trip, we had a new project, in our opinion, very promising: it also applies to neonatal genodiagnostic. In addition, attending a conference HGM2012 and research centers in Melbourne, has allowed us to look at with new eyes the development of which we are now conducting more clearly assess their role in modern diagnostic practice. Moreover, it has changed and our common vision of the future of “Vega” in the field of molecular genetic diagnosis. This is due to the fact that the work we are still quite strongly limited by the current needs of the market, which is not always at the forefront of modern science. In the future, our challenge – not only to meet current market demand for medical diagnostics, but also look ahead and offer the most advanced high-performance solutions, higher quality, less expensive and therefore more accessible to patients “- summed up Alexander Pavlov.
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