2012 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting

From Mass Spectrometry to Sequencing: Using Circulating Cell-Free Fetal (cff) Nucleic Acid Technology in Prenatal Genetic Testing *
(Pre-Registration Required)

Friday, March 30, 2012, 7:00 am - 8:30 am (Continental Breakfast will be served)
Grand Ballroom CD - Westin Charlotte Hotel

Speakers: Jeffrey S. Dungan, MD, FACMG, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Peter Benn, PhD, DSc, FACMG, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT

Commercial Supporter: Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine

Description: This educational program will present and discuss the use of mass spectrometry and massively parallel genomic sequencing in circulating cell-free fetal (ccff) nucleic acid technology and its clinical applications. Despite efforts over two decades to develop a noninvasive approach to prenatal genetic testing in which fetal cells are isolated from maternal blood as a source offetal DNA, it has proven difficult to routinely isolate sufficient quantities of fetal cells. Utilizing ccff, fetal nucleic acids can be extracted from a maternal blood sample, enabling direct genetic testing to assess the baby's status early in pregnancy.

*This session will be independently organized, offered by another organization and held in conjunction with the ACMG Annual Meeting, and is not part of the educational content developed by ACMG. This session will not qualify for CME credit. ACMG will apply to NSGC for CE credit for counselors and nurses and P.A.C.E.® credit for laboratory personnel. If credit is awarded from these organizations it will be noted in the final program.