Microplate Technology Conference,June 22 – June 25,1997 Hyatt Regency,Crystal City,Washington National Airport,Arlington,VA

Abstract

Responses from the participants and exhibitors at MipTec'96 have provided the format for MipTec'97. The mission, once more, is to promote breakthrough reports and information exchange among the numerous disciplines that use array analysis in discovery. Emphasis will be place on quality presentations and open discussion periods linked with each session. Designs and applications of the microplate in 384 and 864 formats, tracking these technologies as they evolve into higher densities and the response of instrument and data management industries in meeting the numerous challenges will be included. MipTec'97 will be held from Sunday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 25, 1997, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Washington National Airport (Arlington, Virginia). This site has been selected as the preferred location in lieu of San Diego, the first proposed site, since the facilities at the Hyatt are ideal for the MipTec conference structure; access and accommodations are similarly superb.

MipTec'97: Program Sessions and Committee Members

Microplate Designs and Applications. The introduction of new plate materials has dramatically enhanced the diversity of microplate designs and stimulated innovation in the scope of its applications. Such proliferation has created special concerns and fascinating solutions as the use high density plates is expanded. Roy Manns, Polyfiltronics; Fax: [phone], Keld Sorensen, Pierce Chemical; Fax: [phone].

Analysis, Handling and Storage

Devices and Techniques. Assuring the integrity of individual well components has been a perennial problem in plate use, transfer and storage. Evaporation, stability and cross-contamination are but a few critical aspects that have been addressed in diverse disciplines. Approaches and solutions to the resolution of these problems will be addressed. Jim Stanchfield., Robbins Scientific; Fax: [phone]; Rob Zambias, ArQule; Fax: [phone]

Applications in Genome Projects

Dramatic advances in resolving the special challenges of the genome project have led to some remarkable solutions that have broader application in the discovery sciences. These will also be discussed in lecture and forum style. Andy Watson, Sequana Therapeutics; Fax: [phone]

Information Management

Data capture, retrieval and analysis continues to play a critical role in array analysis especially as the amount of data generated reaches astronomical proportions and the criteria for significance becomes more stringent. Artificial intelligence is returning as an important feature of high density systems. Such approaches and the use of the microplate format itself as an important key in data packaging in systems integration will be among the topics discussed. Barr Bauer, MDL Information Systems; Fax: [phone]; Michael Liebman, Vysis; Fax: [phone]

Robotics and Laboratory Automation

High density plate systems demand considerably greater accuracy in the design and implementation of automation. Such aspects extend beyond simple dimensional concerns to new problems encountered at these unique frontiers. Automated picoliter transfer and sample stability will be among the topics discussed. Robin Felder, Ph.D, Director of the Medical Automation Research Ceneter at the University of Virginia; Fax: [phone]; Al Kolb, Packard Instrument; Fax: [phone].

Biomolecular Screening and Library Generation

This session will address specific advances in microplate applications in HTS and support technologies such as high throughput organic synthesis and analysis. Presentations in this session will blend into Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Annual Conference on High Throughput Screening which will overlap with MipTec'97 at the same location on Wednesday. Jonathan Cook, Proctor & Gamble; Fax: [phone]; John Devlin, ARRT Int'l; Fax: [phone]

The natural overlap of the technical sessions of MipTec'97 (Monday, June 23 - Wednesday, June 25) with CHI's Annual Conference on High Throughput Screening (Wednesday, June 25 - Friday June 27) will help compress information access in these critical areas of discovery into a single week of quality presentations. At the same time, it will provide an unprecedented display of related instrumentation and technologies.

For topic suggestions, submissions of abstracts or related program matters please contact the appropriate Committee Member at the fax numbers provided above. For other information please contact:

ARRT International, Inc.

P.O. Box 183811 Main Street New Milford, CT 06776, U.S.A.

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-Mail: [e-mail]