Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Seyed Massoud Houshmand
National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran
Keynote: Medical genetic diagnostic test methods in clinical practice (advantage and disadvantage of each method)
Time : 10:30-11:30
Biography:
Seyed Massoud Houshmand has completed his PhD in Medical Molecular Genetic from Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. He is the Head of the Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty Member of National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Responsible Director of Personalized Medicine journal. He has organized about 22 workshops and seminars and has published more than 220 papers and 17 books. He is the Winner of Best Iranian Researcher in Medical Genetic 2010, Winner of ISESCO prizes in Science & Technology 2014 and winner of Best Iranian Researcher 2015.
Abstract:
Analysis of genetic materials like Nucleic acids, chromosomes, proteins and metabolites in order to analyse the possible heritable disease-related genotypes, phenotypes, Karyotypes, mutations for clinical purposes is termed Genetic testing. Genetic testing has grown from a position specialty for rare disorders to a broad scope of applications for complex disease and personal use. Detection of cause of the disease in a blood or other tissues sample can lead to a diagnosis, possible prognosis and prospective therapy treatments.Applications of clinical genetic testing is in medical disciplines, as well as newborn screening for extremely penetrant disorders; diagnostic and carrier testing for genetic disorders; prognostic and pre-symptomatic testing for adult-onset and complicated disorders; and pharmacogenetic testing to guide individual drug dosage, choice and response. Over the years, a variety of detection of structural and chromosomal variation through cytogenetic (karyotyping) and molecular cytogenetic (FISH, CGH-array, Cish) tests and indirect testing, targeted allele-specific mutation detection, gene-specific Sanger sequencing with molecular biology techniques (PCR-RFLP, ARMS, Dot Blot, Sequencing, MLPA, Western, Norden and southern blot, RealTime PCR, PGD, etc.) have been utilized in clinical diagnostic laboratories. Genome-wide SNP microarrays and whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing techniques has revolutionized the field of clinical molecular diagnostics. Here, we review the development of molecular diagnostic approaches and some of the most commonly used assays prior to different kind of techniques in this area and mention advantage and disadvantage of each technique. The choice of detection method used in the analysis of gene mutations depends on a variety of factors and can range from laboratory to laboratory. Sample volume, the spectrum of mutations in a given gene of interest and equipment investment required can all play a role in what type of assays a molecular diagnostic laboratory chooses to perform. Decisions concerning genetic testing should be primarily based not solely on the analytic accuracy, accessibility and price of the check, but on the clinical utility as well, as well as the sensitivity, specificity and interpretability of results.
Keynote Forum
Saied Ali Barzanian
International Keynote Speaker, Former ProQuest, Stanford University, USA
Keynote: Digital revolution in medicine: New tools in molecular biology, medical science, education and research
Time : 11:45-12:45
Biography:
Saied Ali Barzanian has worked for well-known American organizations such as world recognized institutions UC Berkeley University, Stanford University and ProQuest among others in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco bay area over the past 40 years. He has diverse background in both academics and industries. As an e-book Specialist and Content Editor, he has worked on a wide variety of e-books for well-known international universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Yale, MIT and UC Berkeley universities among others educational institutions and large publishers including Penguin Random House, Elsevier, McGraw-Hill, Wiley and Oxford University Press.
Abstract:
When you just think about it! The digital world has changed our lives in every way. Education - the days when teachers used chalk, dusters and blackboards are almost at an end. Black has turned to white in the form of interactive whiteboards. The white chalk is now digital ink. Printed books - Over 92% of children in the United States carry backpacks that are typically loaded with heavy books that may set them up for spine strain rather than success. Now, those books are turning into e-books and audio books which thousands of them can be stored in a USB flash drive or cloud storage. They are adaptable, accessible, convenient and effective; also they are significantly less demanding on your back. Digital content has revolutionized the way people distribute and access information on virtually every platform. This current study focusses on the benefits which medical students can avail from learning with e-books. This study also deals with the future and market of paper books and e-books.
- Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Pathology | Molecular Toxicology, Pharmacology & Drug Designing | Biochemistry, Metabolomics & Molecular Medicine | Medical Diagnosis, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
Location: Dubai, UAE
Chair
Seyed Massoud Houshmand
National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran
Co-Chair
Zakaria Eltahir
Taibah University, Saudi Arabia
Session Introduction
Zakaria Eltahir
Taibah University, Saudi Arabia
Title: An update on precision medicine: Esophageal adenocarcinoma and molecular testing
Time : 12:45-13:15
Biography:
Zakaria Eltahir has completed his MSc in Cellular Pathology (Cardiff) and Certification of PG in Clinical Oncology (Birmingham) and PhD Histopathology at University of Wales UK. He has worked at Cardiff University, Swansea University as a Postdoctoral Scientist. He has then moved to London and worked at Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and London University (ICR) as a Senior Clinical Researcher on Precision Medicine of the GI Cancers. He is a Registered Professional with HCPC in London as Clinical Scientist in Histopathology Pathology. He is currently working as an Associate Professor in Histopathology and Section Coordinator at Taibah University. He has 47 publications to his credit.
Abstract:
Gastroesophageal junction cancer or Barrett’s Adenocarcinoma (BA) is increasingly reported in the last four decades. In the Western world esophageal cancer reporting has shifted from SSC to AD. Evidence for some benefits from surveillance found could safe many patients’ lives at risk and relatively cost-effective. Clinical and scientific communities are faced by attempts to reduce mortality of BA as well as failure to detect most cases while at curable stage. It has been a real challenge to distinguish between patients who might develop cancer from those who wouldn’t. Indeed, diagnosis has been on debate and variable between different diagnostic schools, particularly for the LGD stage. Molecular markers are urgently needed to facilitate early tumorigenesis detection and to probably help in providing personalize cancer therapies. The ToGA (Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer) project findings lead to the effective Trastuzumab (Herceptin) medicine to treat gastric and gastroesophageal patients and was approved by FDA in 2010. Her2-neu gene over expression assessment, after successfully used to eliminate those patients with mutated gene in breast cancer patients has provided a vital cure for about 25-30% of BA as in gastric cancer patients. Research in pathogenesis, biomarkers and clinical practice in precision medicine as future directions will be discussed.
Aisan Asalipisheh
Islamic Azad University of Zanjan, Iran
Title: Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance pattern and virulence gene characterizations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from salad samples
Time : 13:15-13:45
Biography:
Aisan Asalipisheh has completed her Master’s degree from Islamic Azad University of Zanjan, Iran. She is a Microbiologist and Hygienist and Microbiology Lab Manager at Unilever Company. She has also worked as a Microbiologist in Mahram Company (sauce and dressing) and as a Microbiology Lab Manager at Gelatin Halal Company.
Abstract:
Introduction & Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the major cause of nosocomial infections and is considered as an opportunistic pathogen. Several reports indicate that the organism can also cause infections in healthy hosts. Further, evidence has suggested that there are no major differences in virulence between clinical and environmental isolates. Consuming raw vegetables that have been contaminated by this organism could have serious implications on human health. The aim of this study was to identify Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor genes (Exotoxin A, Exoenzyme S, Elastase and Alginate genes) which are isolated from salads.
Method: In this cross-sectional study, 200 salad samples were collected from restaurants located in Qazvin during 6 months. After identification of isolates by biochemical tests, the antibiotic susceptibility test (Kirby-Bauer method) was done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) advice against 13 antibiotics. After DNA extraction from isolates, PCR with specific primers were done for detection of Exotoxin A, Exoenzyme S, Elastase and Alginate genes.
Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 25 salad samples out of 200 samples (12.5%). The highest and lowest resistant against isolates (25 samples) related to Cefotaxime with 95% and Imipenem with 21.6% resistant respectively. Frequency of Exotoxin A, Exoenzyme S, Elastase and Alginate genes were 44%, 16%, 44% and 44%, respectively.
Conclusion: Our results showed that the frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in salads was high. This study confirms the rapidity and sensitivity of PCR analysis in identifying isolates which contribute in early monitoring, accurate analysis and control of microbial risks in food products.
Sheeba Parveen
Pure Health Medical supplies Al Qasimi Hospital, UAE
Title: Usefulness of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in diagnosis of Duchene Muscular Dystrophy gene mutation analysis
Time : 14:30-15:00
Biography:
Sheeba Parveen is a registered health care professional with the regulatory DHCC, Dubai. She holds a Master's degree in Molecular Microbiology from University of Karachi. She has pursued one year course on Medical Laboratory Training program exclusively in Molecular Pathology Department of Clinical Laboratory from well Known JCI, ISO and CAP accredited hospital in Pakistan. She has worked more than 11 years in the JCI, ISO and CAP accredited hospital as Molecular Specialist. She optimizes many assays including DNA sequencing, MLPA analysis for diagnosis of genetic disorders, methylation specific PCR for Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome testing. She is also CAP Task Force Coordinator for the Molecular Pathology section of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. She also had been involved in writing research papers and holding more than 9 local and international publications. Later, she joined Dow Diagnostic DHCC as a Molecular Specialist and served for almost 5 months and joined Pure Health as Molecular Biologist at Al Qassimi Hospital (MOH) in January 2018.
Abstract:
The largest known gene present in humans is located on the short arm of the X chromosome (at Xp21.2), and is called the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) gene. DMD gene has Open reading frame ~11.055 kb and it contains 79 exons MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification) was developed as a general method to establish copy number of up to 45 nucleic acid sequences in one single reaction. This method has proved a reliable tool for the diagnosis of genetic diseases characterized by large gene deletions and duplications. This technique has made it possible to detect the entire dystrophin gene containing 79 exons in order to study the deletions and duplications in a fast and reliable manner. MLPA analysis was carried out using P034 and P035 probes purchased commercially from MRC, Holland (Amsterdam, Netherlands). The procedures were carried out according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Briefly, 100 ng DNA was denatured and hybridized overnight at 60 °C with the SALSA probe mix 034 (DMD exons 1-10, 21-30, 41-50 and 61-70) and 035 (DMD exons 11-20, 31-40, 51-60 and 71-79). Samples were then treated with Ligase 65 for 15 min at 54 °C. The reactions were stopped by incubation at 98 °C for 5 minutes. IN THE LAST Step PCR amplification was done using SALSA FAM PCR primers, and after amplification amplified products are run on Genetic analyzer ABI Prism 3100 (Applied Bio systems, USA) with the following modules: Capillaries 36 cm, Polymer POP-4, run temperature 60 °C, capillary fill volume 184 steps, pre-run voltage 15 kV, pre-run time 180 seconds, injection voltage 3.0 kV, injection time 10-30 seconds, run voltage 15 kV, data delay time 1 second and run time 1500 seconds.
Seyed Massoud Houshmand
National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran
Title: Genetic counselling for mendelian and non mendelian disorders: Be familiar with metabolic, neuromuscular and immunodefeciency disorders
Biography:
Seyed Massoud Houshmand has completed his PhD in Medical Molecular Genetic from Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. He is the Head of the Genetic Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty Member of National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Responsible Director of Personalized Medicine journal. He has organized about 22 workshops and seminars and has published more than 220 papers and 17 books. He is the Winner of Best Iranian Researcher in Medical Genetic 2010, Winner of ISESCO prizes in Science & Technology 2014 and winner of Best Iranian Researcher 2015.
Abstract:
A genetic consultation is a health service that provides information and support to people who have or may be at risk for genetic disorders. In genetic counseling, the professional’s help people learn about genetic conditions, find out their chances of being affected by having a child or another genetic conditioner and make informed decisions about testing and treatment. In other words, the professional investigates the problem present in the family, interprets information about the disorder, analyzes the inheritance patterns and recurrence risk, and reviews available options with the family. This workshop will discuss a variety of topics such as:
Draw pedigree for Mendelian and non Mendelian disorders with Example for better understanding of:
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Metabolic disorders
- Micromulecular Disorders (PKU)
- Macromulecular Disorders (MPS)
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Neuromuscular disorders
- Autosomal Dominant (CMT)
- Autosomal Receive (SMA)
- X-linked (DMD)
- 3 nucleotide Repeats (HD)
- Mitochondrial Disorders (LHON)
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Immunodeficiency disease.
- Autosomal Dominant (CGD)
- Autosomal Receive (SCID)
- X-linked (Wiscot-Aldrich)