TIME:   11:00 AM
WHERE:  PGH 232
SPEAKER:  Shishir Shah, Ph.D.

Abstract
In this era of integrated biology, progress depends on the development and optimization of technological platforms, high throughput assays, and automated analysis to capitalize on the wealth of information coming out of the genomes.  While there is tremendous progress in understanding biological systems at the gene and protein levels, we lack the necessary integration to extract the real value and efficiency needed for translations to rapid diagnostics and novel therapeutics.  The past decade has seen a virtual explosion in the application of digital imaging to biological specimens.  Digital image processing can provide numerical data to quantify and substantiate biological processes.  There is no doubt that the need for quantification of biological data will steadily grow.  Methods and technology have been developed to deliver previously unknown disease genes in a number of months instead of years.  While this has resulted in the discovery of at least 50 new disease genes, we have a long way to go based on the current thinking that there exist 30,000-40,000 human genes. 

This talk will focus on the developments of two new technological platforms aimed at achieving a higher degree of integration.  First, BAC microarrays for the study of genomic DNA in understanding gains and losses of chromosomal regions leading to applications in molecular diagnostics, disease progression, etc. Second, high-throughput histology and cytometry for the study of tissues and cells with related applications in cancer screening, toxicity screening, disease screening, etc.  Methods for imaging, image analysis, computational modeling, data analysis and mining necessary for the respective platforms will be presented.