The Importance of Validated Biomarker Assays for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation
| Dates: | 18 September 2014 |
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| Times: | 12:30 - 13:30 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health |
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| Who is it for: | Current University students, University staff |
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| Speaker: | Dr Robert Umek |
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Host: Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health
Speaker:
Dr Robert Umek from Meso Scale Discovery
About the event:
Title: ‘The Importance of Validated Biomarker Assays for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation’
This seminar will give insight into the development and applications of the Meso Scale Discovery electrochemiluminescence technology which has recently been purchased by Professor Nigel Hooper in the AV Hill Building. This technology will be available for other groups within FMHS and FLS and this is an excellent opportunity to find out more about its uses and applications for a variety of research fields.
Abstract: There is an emerging consensus in the Neuroscience field that clinical trials and long-term population studies require analytically validated assays for biomarkers studies. The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and the Parkinson’s Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI), a Michael J Fox Foundation consortium, both have working groups addressing assay validation and standardization. Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) markets assays that have been validated according to guidelines published by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The development of these assays at MSD and their use in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation research will be presented.
Biography: Dr Umek is Director of External Scientific Affairs at MSD and has played a central role in the development of the MSD technology platform Formerly, Dr. Umek was Director of Research at MSD and was responsible for the development of multiplex assays for the measurement of biomarkers in Oncology, Alzheimer’s Disease, Metabolic Disorders and other disease. Dr Umek received his PhD from the Department of Molecular Biology at Roswell Park Cancer Center and completed post-doctoral training at the Carnegie Institution of Washington’s Department of Embryology. His previous appointments include: Director of Assay Development at CMS, Assistabe Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Virginia and Director of the Cellular Basis of Metaboligy Diseases Program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Dr Umek currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Biomolecular Screening and the Neuroscience Steering Committee of the Biomarkers Consortium of the Foundation for NIH. He also represents MSD on the Alzheimer’s Association QC Program for CSF Biomarkers and the ADNI 2 Private Partner Scientific Board.
Speaker
Dr Robert Umek
Role: Director of External Scientific Affairs at Meso Scale Discovery
Organisation: Meso Scale Discovery
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
1.005
AV Hill Building
Manchester
