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NEEDHAM, MA - May 24, 2017 - Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI) will hold the second annual NGS for DNA Forensics symposium (as part of its Next Generation Dx Summit) on August 18, 2017 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC. 

Next generation sequencing has revolutionized genetics in a number of fields, specifically in biological sciences and diagnostics, due to its sensitivity, speed, and lower cost per sample, all while garnering more data than ever before. It is perhaps one of the most significant technological advances in decades; but before this tool can be brought into the laboratory - and used in court - laboratorians must understand what it is, how it works, and what its capabilities and limitations are.

“The forensics field is now at the cusp of adopting NGS into its labs, and it’s imperative for forensic professionals, lawyers, and criminalists alike to understand and plan for implementation of this technology, said Kaitlin Searfoss, Conference Producer for CHI. “Forensic professionals will have access to researchers and scientists that have been working with the technology for years while the life sciences group will gain new insight into the potential for the technology due to the unique set of needs in forensics. It’s exciting bringing this community back to the Next Generation Dx Summit.”

The symposium offers an in-depth examination of next generation sequencing and many technical considerations for using it. There is additional focus on biomarkers to be used with NGS, including how to validate use of these biomarkers for casework. Special attention will be paid to the FBI’s perspective and experience, as well as the path to admissibility in court.

Speakers include:

- Cassandra D. Calloway, Ph.D., Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute and University of California, Davis
- Julie Conover Sikorsky, M.S., F-ABC, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office|
- Seth A. Faith, Ph.D., NC State University
- Jodi Irwin, Ph.D., FBI Laboratory
- Ted Robert Hunt, JD, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Jackson County, Missouri
- Kenneth K. Kidd, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine
- Steven Lee, San Jose State University
- Joseph Ring, MS, ARP Sciences LLC a Division of ARP, Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System
- Mark Wilson, Ph.D., Battelle Memorial Institute
- Elisa Wurmbach, Ph.D., Office of Chief Medical Examiner, New York

Prospective attendees can view a complete agenda, learn more about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and register at http://www.NextGenerationDx.com/DNA-Forensics .

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Writers and editors are invited to attend. To request a press pass, email Lisa Scimemi, lscimemi@healthtech.com .

About Next Generation Dx Summit ( http://www.nextgenerationdx.com )
Next Generation Dx Summit convenes more than 1,000 international diagnostic professionals for valuable networking and comprehensive programming spanning from clinical diagnostics to business strategy. Now in its ninth year, the event has grown to include novel immunotherapy biomarkers, cell-free DNA, companion diagnostics, infectious disease, point-of-care, pharmacy-based diagnostics, clinical NGS assays, commercialization, reimbursement, prenatal testing, circulating tumor cells, critical care, forensics, digital PCR, microfluidics, and microbiome diagnostics. The Next Generation Dx Summit is a must-attend event with complete coverage of the most timely and important issues for the industry. Follow event updates on Twitter with #NGDx17.

About Cambridge Healthtech Institute ( http://www.healthtech.com )
Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute, is the preeminent life science network for leading researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, CROs, academia, and niche service providers. CHI is renowned for its vast conference portfolio held worldwide including PepTalk, Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, SCOPE Summit, Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, PEGS Summit, Drug Discovery Chemistry, Biomarker World Congress, World Preclinical Congress, Next Generation Dx Summit and Discovery on Target. CHI's portfolio of products includes Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences, Barnett International, Insight Pharma Reports, Cambridge Marketing Consultants, Cambridge Meeting Planners, Knowledge Foundation,  Bio-IT World ,  Clinical Informatics News  and  Diagnostics World News.