LABLine
2010 CONFERENCES
Jan. 23-27. The Association for Laboratory Automation’s LabAutomation2010, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA, will focus on the growing field of laboratory automation. Some 5,000 laboratory automation scientists and business leaders from around the globe will come together to network and benefit from leading education, information, strategies, and technologies. For information about ALA, its structure and member benefits, go to www.labautomation.org.
Jan. 29-30. The 17th Annual First Coast Infectious Disease/Clinical Microbiology Symposium will be held at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, St. Augustine, FL. To access program and register online go to www.firstcoastidcm.com.
Feb. 3-5. “Molecular Diagnostics 2010 New Wave of Personalized Medicine” is part of Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference at Moscone North Convention Center, San Francisco. The agenda includes practical challenges in getting diagnostics reimbursed; value-based lab tests; gene patents in molecular diagnostics; MRSA surveillance programs; real-time detection and characterization of influenza; and more. Register online at https://chidb.com/register/2010/mmtc/reg.asp.
March 22-25. The Society of Armed Forces Medical Laboratory Scientists Meeting at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego will include breakout sessions, special meetings, workshops, poster sessions, and a wide variety of presentations. The 2010 theme is “Have Lab—Will Travel.” For more information, visit www.safmls.org/annual_meeting_information.html.
March 24-26. The biennial CDC-APHL HIV Diagnostics Conference at the Doubletree Hotel Universal Studios in Orlando will gather experts in the field of HIV testing to review findings and data regarding alternative HIV testing algorithms; new serologic, molecular, and POC HIV testing techniques; and practices for bridging lab and POCT strategies including model QA practices in CLIA-waived testing programs. Learn more at www.hivtestingconference.org.
April 14-16. “Molecular Diagnostics 2010 — Putting MDx to the Test: How Your Lab Can Capitalize on Molecular Diagnostics” at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge (MA) will provide expert insight and advice on how labs can integrate MDx into their business strategies, given the current regulatory and business environment. Preconference workshops include starting up and running a molecular lab and coding, billing, and payment for molecular assays. Register before March 5 to save $100. Learn more at www.g2reports.com/conferences/1306.html.
April 25-28. The 26th Annual Clinical Virology Symposium and the Annual Meeting of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology will be held in Daytona Beach, FL, and provide a forum for the meaningful exchange of ideas dealing with viral infections, and the relationship between rapid viral diagnosis, clinical course of viral infections, and preventive and therapeutic modalities for virus infections. Registration information is available at http://hsc.usf.edu/nocms/medicine/medmicro/virology/index.htm.
April 27-28. The 15th Annual Executive War College at the Sheraton New Orleans is designed to help lab administrators and pathologists learn practical methods for improving the organizational performance and financial success of their labs, including up-to-date information on market trends, lab-management methods, and effective financial strategies for enhancing revenues and profits. Register online at www.executivewarcollege.com/register.htm.
May 4-6. CLMA ThinkLab’10 will take place at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. ThinkLab ’10 will feature a variety of educational sessions specifically designed for emerging lab leaders as well as seasoned C-Level executives with more than 40 breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics including molecular diagnostics. Learn more at www.clma.org/thinklab.
AUDIO CONFERENCES
Feb. 3, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET. “Blood Banking in Developing Nations” will describe the indications for blood transfusion in developing nations. Review the challenges of blood banking and transfusion medicine, and explain approaches to assisting developing nations in their goal of a safe and available blood supply. AABB’s work in Africa will be discussed as well as country-specific stories of creating sustainable blood services. Learn more at www.aabb.org/Content/Meetings_and_Events/Audioconferences/.
March 31, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET. “Molecular Approaches to Rh Problems” addresses the use of molecular testing used to resolve RhD reagent typing discrepancies. This program will cover specific examples of when molecular testing can be used to enhance and resolve challenging serologic investigations. Background information on the Rh gene will be presented with supporting case scenarios. Learn more at www.aabb.org/Content/Meetings_and_Events/Audioconferences/.