Advanced Molecular Detection

Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., EDT

Advances in science and technology aimed at identifying the genetic makeup of microorganisms will build CDC’s capacity to prevent illness and save lives. CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans—or 48 million people—get sick from contaminated food each year—costing the United States $77 billion per year in health care treatment, workplace, and other economic losses. Additionally, in the United States, the number of outbreaks involving drug-resistant microbes is on the rise. Although they are still highly valuable, CDC’s current methods are limiting our ability for better and more rapid detection of these microbes.

This session of Grand Rounds will explore opportunities for CDC to leverage key aspects of Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD), bioinformatics and enhanced molecular tools, such as whole genome sequence, to improve our ability to diagnose/identify infectious diseases, investigate and control outbreaks, understand transmission patterns, develop and target vaccines, and determine antimicrobial resistance—all with increased timeliness, accuracy and decreased costs.

Presented By

Duncan MacCannell, PhD
Senior Advisor for Bioinformatics
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, CDC
“What is Advanced Molecular Detection?”

James Posey, PhD
Lead, Applied Research Team
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC
“Investigation of Tuberculosis Outbreaks Using Whole Genome Sequencing”

Michael Shaw, PhD
Associate Director of Laboratory Science
Influenza Division
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC
“Detecting Drug Resistance in Novel Influenza Viruses”

John R. McQuiston, PhD
Team Lead, Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory
Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, CDC
“MicrobeNet™: Connecting the Public Health Laboratories”

David Engelthaler, MS
Director, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, Arizona
“Advancing Advanced Molecular Detection”

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
John Iskander, MD, MPH, Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds