I always approach the AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo with the best intentions and always depart with regrets.
Despite having a clear vision and ambitious plan (and high energy fueled by great expectations), I’m never able to cover as much ground as I’d like. It’s like visiting the Louvre with orders to be back at the tour bus in an hour—riches await, but the clock is ticking.
Maybe this year … (right?)
More than 650 vendors will compete for your attention at the expo, showcasing leading-edge technology for testing, point of care, IT systems, automation, and more.
The plenary sessions will delve into metabolic syndrome and the function of insulin in obesity, the role of “junk” DNA in human development, opposing views on vitamin D intake recommendations, patient-based therapeutics discovery, and the impact of the microbiome on our health.
I plan to attend a newly announced “breaking-science” session that flows from the recent watershed SCOTUS decision. Namely, that genes isolated from human DNA can’t be patented, but that complementary DNA might be patentable, because it is “not naturally occurring.” The fallout from the ruling will likely be wide-ranging, but in this session, the discussion will focus on how the decision will likely impact innovation in genetic research and testing.
In our July issue is CLP‘s Show Planner, which may help you plan your days, review your best options from the ample menu of sessions, and locate vendor booths.
CLP‘s associate editor, Kurt Woock, will be blogging from AACC2013, and I’ll be tweeting my impressions @editorCLPmag.
Hope you have a good show, and hope to meet you there!
***********************************************************************************************************************
Switching gears, CLP has established a new Expert Insight section, on digital pathology. Our expert is Jared N. Schwartz, MD, PhD. Please submit your questions to him here.
As always, should you have questions regarding lab and POCT quality control, CLP‘s expert Sharon Ehrmeyer, PhD, MT(ASCP), will answer them here.
The interactive edition on our website includes features such as slide shows and videos. Should you wish to take us along on your iPhone and iPad, visit the iTunes store for the free CLP app.
Judy O’Rourke
Editor, CLP
[email protected], (619) 659-1065
