Dinner Meeting

Speaker(s):
Stephen J. Lovell, Ph.D, Technical Director, Research & Development, Rapid Testing Systems, Lonza Bioscience

Speaker Bio:
Stephen J. Lovell, Ph.D is the Technical Director for Rapid Testing Systems (RTS) at Lonza Bioscience based in Walkersville, Maryland. Rapid Testing Systems is responsible for products for detection of micro-organisms using real time RT-PCR and for detection of endotoxin. He was previously the Technology Manager at BD (Becton Dickinson Diagnostics) specializing in rapid diagnostics primarily for infectious diseases (bacterial and viral). Developed antibody-based and nucleic acid-based assays. Dr. Lovell earned his Ph. D. in Biochemistry from University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. He also served his post doc at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore Maryland) and then Australian National University (Canberra Australia).

Location:
Gaithersburg Holiday Inn, 2 Montgomery Village Ave. Gaithersburg, MD

Time:
6:00 PM to 6:45 PM Networking opportunity
6:45 PM to 7:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Featured speakers presentation
8:30 PM to 9:00 PM Q&A Session

Event Abstract:
Traditional microbiological culture methods may take up to a week to provide an indication of microbial contamination. Reverse Transcriptase Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) has the potential to consistently provide results much more rapidly. This presentation describes two kits that have been developed to detect ribosomal RNA from bacteria and from yeast/molds, respectively. The sensitivity of these kits has been determined to be 50 fentograms of RNA. The kits provide semi-quantitative measurements of total viable micro-organisms in water and a variety of different samples types encountered in the pharmaceutical industry within four hours. The use of RT-PCR to detect microbial contamination should permit faster release of end product. In addition, the RT-PCR potentially allows for increased testing of intermediates in the manufacturing process and thus can help drive the FDA Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) initiative.

Price:
$35 if registered on or before June 13, 2008
$40 if registered after June 13 (subject to seating availability)

Registration deadline is June 20, 2008. No cancellations after June 20, but substitutions are welcome.

Registration Contact:
Allen L. Burgenson at 301-898-7025 ext. 2456 Lonza Walkersville, Inc.

Fax number:
301-845-6452

PDA Capital Area Chapter
c/o Allen L. Burgenson
8875 Hawbottom Road
Middletown, MD 21769