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Genetics Subdivision Report
As Summer
finally heats up after days of rain here in
New York,
I am reminded that Fall is almost here and so is the 2009
AMP Annual Meeting & Exhibits at The Gaylord Palms Resort &
Convention Center in
Kissimmee, FL.
It has been a remarkable experience working with our
Chair-Elect, Arlene Buller and the rest of the
Program Committee to put together the annual program for the
Genetic Subdivision. The genetics program this year is
exciting and wonderful with more topics in multiple sessions
than ever.
Plenary session
Molecular
genetics of common diseases and the identification of
genetic variants contributing to these complex but common
traits is our theme for this year’s Meeting. At our Friday
morning session, we are thrilled to have Dr. Hakon
Hakonarson, from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as
our Plenary Session speaker. Dr. Hakonarson will describe
genome-wide mapping and association studies focused on
identifying genetic variations associated with the
development of common diseases of childhood including
asthma, diabetes, ADHD, and others.
Workshops
A workshop provides an opportunity to review and discuss
practical aspects of selected topics in more detail.
Building on the complexity theme, our principal workshop in
clinical genetics will address the question of how
monogenetic disorders can become complex. This Workshop
will highlight some of the challenges associated with the
genetic diagnosis of inherited disorders caused by large
and/or complex reiterated genes. At our Saturday morning
Workshop, Dr. Sandro Rossetti, from Mayo Clinic, will talk
about autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and the
clinical utility of next generation sequencing platforms in
genetic testing. This will be followed by Dr. Maria New,
from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who will talk about
the complex genetics of
congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Saturday afternoon Puzzlers by Prior returns! Moderated by
our own Thomas Prior, this session will offer a
unique opportunity to present your most challenging cases in
inherited disorders and cancer genetics.
In this
session you will also get a chance to participate and
figure out
some of the more difficult
molecular diagnostic conundrums provided
by the AMP membership. So brush-up on your genetic skills
and prepare to attend!
Friday morning, November 20, following last year’s success,
Arlene
Buller
and I will highlight selected abstracts for
platform presentations in Genetics. We have tried to choose
abstracts that will particularly capture your interest,
addressing various topics in molecular genetics and
cytogenetics. We hope that you will support our abstract
presenters and attend this session!
An
additional theme at the Annual Meeting will include a
comprehensive workshop on gene patents. A panel of
experts, consisting of Jean Amos Wilson, Roger Klein, David
Ledbetter and Debra Leonard, will discuss
everything that you would like to know about the current
status of gene patenting. This Sunday morning workshop will
be moderated by our President-Elect, Karen Mann.
Finally,
a special concurrent workshop on Saturday afternoon will be
devoted to “Breaking Topics.” This special workshop
moderated by Timothy O’Leary, will highlight the
latest information in areas of special interest including
H1N1 influenza and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for our
members.
Early Bird Sessions
Our Early Bird Sessions in Genetics provide a great
opportunity to get an update about the current status of
various programs in clinical genetics. We are particularly
happy this year to have numerous AMP members contributing to
the program. Friday early morning will launch with Iris
Schrijver leading a session about cystic fibrosis
newborn screening, shedding more light on newborn
screening practices and algorithms currently used across the
nation.
This will be followed up on early Sunday morning by Vicky
Pratt and Bin Chen, who will be presenting
results from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding
molecular genetic testing for heritable diseases.
Lee-Jun Wong will present a concurrent workshop
discussing genetic testing for mitochondrial DNA using
microarray-based applications. Surely, you do not want to
miss these eye-opener sessions!
Luncheon
The Genetic Business luncheon, which will be held this year
at noon on Friday, is always a great way to share
information, network, and solicit new ideas regarding
exciting new topics in genetics. In addition, we will hear
an update about the various on-going projects from our
Genetics representatives to the
Clinical
Practice Committee, Nominating Committee and the Training &
Education Committee. All are invited!
We are
truly
excited about the upcoming 2009 AMP Meeting and hope that
you are already working on your poster or talk. Looking
forward to see you all in Kissimmee in November! |
