25th International
Biodetection Technologies:
Point-of-Care for Biodefense
June 27-28, 2017
The development of bioanalytical devices that are portable, compatible, scalable and reliable is critical to effective biodefense at the point-of -care. In addition, clinical data must be generated and incorporated into the key operational decision-maker networks. Biodetection Technologies: Point-of-Care for Biodefense will bring together the global industry, academic and government biodefense community to discuss advancements in approaches for optimizing performance of field technologies, translational challenges, regulatory approval of diagnostic tools, and data analysis to enable effective decision-making.
This event follows Biodetection Technologies: Biothreat and Pathogen Detection being held from June 26-27, 2017. Together, these two events will provide three full days of programming around biodetection technologies in both the lab and in the field.
Final Agenda
Tuesday, June 27
12:15 pm Conference Registration
1:40 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Harshini Mukundan, Ph.D., Team Leader, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
1:45 OPENING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Rethinking Our Approach to Fieldable Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Charles Young, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Applied Biology Group, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
Current approaches to fieldable infectious disease diagnostics are based simply on reducing the size and logistical burden of standard methods currently used in hospital laboratories. Many of the challenges faced in fielding systems to austere environments have not been addressed and some of the issues may simply prove too difficult to overcome. Perhaps it is time to reassess our current efforts and work to introduce new, novel approaches that may be more amenable for disease diagnosis under field-forward, austere conditions.
2:15 A Smart Phone Platform for Detection of Zika Virus RNA in Low Resource Settings
Robert Meagher, Ph.D., Staff Scientist, Sandia National Laboratory
Heightened concerns regarding the recent Zika outbreak have led to renewed calls for inexpensive, portable, and versatile diagnostic platforms. We present here a series of advances in portable nucleic acid amplification testing by interfacing our QUASR RT-LAMP assay detection with a consumer class smart phone that both controls simple assay hardware, and performs assay analysis and scoring. The resulting system breaks conventional barriers of differential diagnostics by directly detecting multiple viral targets from crude human samples, including Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses, and providing proof of concept for a new generation of fast, affordable, and portable diagnostic tools.
2:45 Microbiome Composition as a Universal Biosensor
Yuriy Fofanov, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Director of Genomics and Bioinformatics Lab, University of Texas at Galvaston
Since natural microbial communities react differently to a large spectrum of stressors, they have the potential to be used as an indicator of the unexpected (undesired) changes in the environment, such as the release of chemical/biological stressors. While tests for several dozens of chemical and biological compounds can cost hundreds of dollars and take days to perform, the latest developments in high throughput technology make the monitoring microbiome profiling a viable alternative.
3:15 Qorvo Biosensor Solution for Mobile and Point of Care Applications
Bryan Bothwell, MBA, Director, Strategy and Business Development, Qorvo
Qorvo has developed a biosensor platform that creates a paradigm shift in point of care (POC) testing. By combining multi-GHz bulk acoustic wave detection arrays with microfluidics and electronics integration, the platform delivers centralized lab results at the POC, breaking the technological barrier limiting ubiquitous deployment of liquid-based biosensors across all markets. This enables the war fighter or public safety officials to take almost immediate action in the field against biological concerns and threats.
3:45 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
4:15 The Application of Point-of-Care Laboratory Testing for Pathogen Detection and Patient Management in Biodefense Settings
Kent Lewandrowski, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Laboratories, Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Elizabeth Lewandrowski, Ph.D., Assistant in Chemistry, Co-Director, Clinical Laboratory Research Core, Massachusetts General Hospital
Point-of-Care testing (POCT) includes technologies for pathogen detection in biodefense settings. POCT also includes a number of tests that are essential for the management of potentially infected patients. These technologies can be employed in different clinical settings including remote (or resource limited) settings, in hospital patient isolation areas and in biodefense laboratories where highly infectious agents must be contained to protect laboratory workers. This presentation will describe the various applications of POCT across the spectrum of biodefense settings.
4:45 Quantitative Analysis of Bacterial Growth and Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in an Integrated Microfluidic Platform
Tania Konry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University
We have developed a simple and robust microfluidic droplet-based bioassay that offers single-cell resolution for efficient monitoring of proliferation as well as morphological changes in single bacterial cells. Importantly, our developed approach allows AST under 30 min directly from urine samples without extensive pre-processing steps. Thus this approach could be a key component of fast, cost-effective, clinical AST systems for point-of-care diagnostics.
5:15 End of Day and Workshop Registration
5:30 Workshop 1: Rapid Sample Preparation for Pathogen Detection*
Instructor: Dave Alburty, CEO, InnovaPrep LLC
*Separate registration required for workshop
Wednesday, June 28
8:00 am Morning Coffee
8:25 Chairperson’s Remarks
Robert Meagher, Ph.D., Staff Scientist, Sandia National Laboratory
8:30 Rapid Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Biosurveillance
Harshini Mukundan, Ph.D., Team Leader, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Innate immunity is capable of detecting all pathogens - bacteria and viruses, engineered and natural. Exploring this response, we have developed a universal strategy for diagnosis of bacterial infections. We will present our findings and the ability of our strategy to discriminate between categories of pathogens in clinical samples.
9:00 Recent Advances in Radiation Biodosimetry for Partial and Total Body Exposures
Mary Sproull, Ph.D., Biologist, Radiation Oncology Branch, National Institute of Health/National Cancer Institute
Using a murine model, we have used a proteomics approach to characterize novel biomarkers of radiation exposure and demonstrate dose response relationships. We have also developed models for dose prediction and characterized expression patterns for both total body and partial body radiation exposures. Our findings indicate that a novel combination of radiation responsive biomarker proteins is an efficient method for predicting radiation exposure and is more accurate when used in concert compared to using any single biomarker protein alone.
9:30 An Affordable System for a Rapid Mass Casualty Response to a Large Area Coverage Biological Incident
Steven Hatfill, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University School of Medicine
Based on the proven concept of the hospital trains used for mass casualty management during the first two World Wars, the concept for an all hazards “disaster train” is outlined to illustrate a new approach to consequence management of a large-scale biological incident.
10:00 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
10:45 FEATURED PRESENTATION: BioWatch – Implementing Key Program Priorities over the Next Five Years
Michael Walter, Ph.D., BioWatch Program Manager, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This presentation will explore how the BioWatch program, housed in the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs, is implementing its five year strategic plan, advancing four strategic priorities: 1) Upgrade the program’s technology for faster, more relevant and actionable results; 2) Expand BioWatch communication to build an informed nationwide network of advocates and partners; 3) Build and strengthen operational information sharing mechanisms that provide relevant decision-making data to government officials; and 4) Expand the program’s impact nationally via partnerships, coverage and technology.
11:15 Resources for Point-of-Care Developers: Technology Watch Database
Joany Jackman, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
The Johns Hopkins Center for Point-of-Care Tests for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) has developed a website known as the Technology Watch Database. The database pulls together characteristics on hundreds of different devices for STD detection, as well as devices enabling the use of detection devices (i.e. sample preparation). Additional authors: Ron Jacak, Ph.D., Anne Rompalo, M.D., Charlotte Gaydos, Ph.D.
11:45 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
12:15 pm Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available) or Enjoy Lunch on Your Own
1:40 Chairperson’s Remarks
Steven Hatfill, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University School of Medicine
1:45 Development of Point of Care Diagnostic Assay for Ebola Virus Using a Immunofluorescent Strip Reader
Xiangguo Qiu, Ph.D., Head, Vaccine Development and Antiviral Therapy, Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada
2:15 Innovative Point-of-Need Tools
Roberto Spricigo, OEM Manager, Point-of-Need, QIAGEN
The point-of-care (POC) market is overloaded with instruments that are almost equivalent in their use, yet offer a very limited test menu. The presentation will highlight the need for a new universal open platform for a broad range of rapid tests.
2:45 The Building of an Integrated Bio Surveillance Capability - A Case Study of the Bio-Surveillance Unclassified (BSP-U)
Michael Ricciardi, Managing Partner, Computer Science, Relevant Technology, Inc.
This presentation aims to describe the genesis, integration challenges and technology evolution for the pilot development BSP-U. This pilot was the first full scale decision support system that tries to address the requirements of the Bio-Surveillance mission - a “whole of government” biosurveillance capability that will facilitate collaboration, communication, and information sharing, and provide a centralization decision support to detect, manage and mitigate man-made and naturally occurring BIO events.
3:15 Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
4:00 PANEL DISCUSSION: Impact of Diagnostic POC Technology
Moderator: Joany Jackman, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
The definition of point-of-care (POC) technology simply means that the diagnostic test can be performed at or near the patient’s bedside rather than in a central laboratory. The global market for point-of-care tests is expected to reach almost $40B (USD) by 2021 in a steady rise from $17B in recorded sales in 2014. POCT has the ability to be “disruptive” to many aspects of health care. Potentially, POCT has the ability to change the way that patients use medical resources. Join our panel of experts to discuss the critical issues at the point-of-care and how POCT is positioned to change this landscape.
5:00 End of Biodetection Technologies: Point-of-Care Track