SLAS Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

"It's through SIGs that likeminded SLAS members connect, share knowledge and experience, and explore new frontiers."
— SLAS President Michelle Palmer, Ph.D., The Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts

11:30 am - 1 pm, Wednesday, February 8, 2012

One of the key benefits of attending SLAS2012 is the ability to meet face-to-face with others in your area of interest and expertise. You are in one place with thousands of others - the opportunities to collaborate are unlimited.

SLAS2012 will feature the following organized SLAS Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Check back for updated discussion topics and agenda items:

  • Academic Drug Discovery, Sandra Nelson and Rathnam Chaguturu, Chairs
    Academic Screening Centers: Sustainability and Planning for the Future
    A Point/CounterPoint debate, a panel discussion on Academic - Industry Collaborations: Case Studies, Lessons Learned, Essential Factors, discussions including all SIG participants, and time for networking one-on-one will be included in this session.
  • ADMET, David Stresser, Chair
    Is Your Liver Microsomal Metabolic Stability Data Telling You What You Think It Does?
    Guest Speaker: Michael Fisher, ProPharma Services

    This discussion focuses on metabolic stability assays in drug discovery. Assay formats, data interpretation (including caveats), data acceptance criteria, in vitro in vivo correlation as well as a review of more complex assays designed to gain a deeper mechanistic understanding is covered.
  • Automation Quality Control, John Thomas Bradshaw and Jack Dawson, Chairs
    This discussion focuses on defining the needs for Automation Quality Control (AQC) in the laboratories of SLAS members. This group has existed for several years as part of the SBS. As we transition into the SLAS and incorporate new membership, it is a good time to solicit ideas from members and new members alike on the direction of this group. Discussion points focus on defining the goals that the AQC SIG should have to best serve the membership of the SLAS. All are invited to attend and join in defining this new direction.
  • Data and Image Analysis, Chip Allee Chair
    Tong Ying Shun, University of Pittsburgh speaks on: Identifying Actives From HTS Data Sets
    Practical Approaches for the Selection of an Appropriate HTS Data-Processing Method and Quality Control Review

    Stephan Schurer, University of Miami speaks on: BioAssay Ontology Facilitates Standardization, Integration and Meta-Analysis of Massive High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Datasets
  • Drug Repurposing, Roger Bosse and Mathieu Arcand, Chairs
    This discussion focuses on innovative alternatives for stalled pharmaceutical pipelines.
  • Informatics, Jay Gill, Chair
    The SLAS Informatics SIG is being developed to provide software developers an opportunity to better understand and influence the state of informatics in the laboratory. The focus of this SIG will be on systems architecture from the board to the user interface and thus will include topics such as hardware/software interfaces, data management, metadata management, asynchronous coding and operating systems, networking and "big data issues". We hope to involve developers from academics, industry and the vendor community, and look forward to partnering with other SIGs both inside and outside SLAS.

    Agenda:
    11:30-11:35 am Introduction (Jay Gill — Chair in Name only)
    11:35-11:50 am The Role of Informatics in SLAS — Dave Dorsett (outline thinking for future of laboratory informatics)
    12:50-12:10 pm Global System Monitoring Utilizing Advanced "Security" Camera System" — Jeff Gygi
    12:10-12:30 pm Title TBA Developing Motion Control Systems From the Board Up — Alden Hart
    12:30-12:50 pm Title TBA Open Source Development of Laboratory Standards — Burkard Schaefer
    12:50-1 pm Wrap up/Next steps — Jay Gill
  • Labware Leachables, Lynn Rasmussen, Chair
    The purpose is to evaluate the scientific impact of contaminants from laboratory plasticware and to raise awareness of this phenomenon. Lane Niles from Etaluma, Inc., Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, and Niles Research Corp. has considerable experience in this area and presents "The Last Variable: Biological Effects of Container Material Composition" with a round table discussion to follow.
  • Microplate Standards, Amer El-Hage and Michael Shanler, Chairs
    This discussion includes:
    • Brief overview of SIG; and the four ANSI approved microplate standards — revised format;
    • Instructions and language on how to properly reference the Standards;
    • CB membership update based on present attendees;
    • An update on "Microplate Standard for Well Bottom Elevation" standard 6 with ANSI;
    • A discussion on members suggested items:
      1. Barcode location (John Hansen at Tibotec, Belgium)
      2. Well naming convention (Joe Olechno, Labcyte, CA)
      3. Plate Bottom Flatness
    And an open forum to discuss new business including microplate-related issues and suggestions for new standards.
  • Sample Management, Richard Kuo and Timothy Dawes, Chairs
    Sample Preparation and Storage Conditions for Acoustic Dispensing Acoustic dispensing technology has revolutionized liquid handling workflows and the discovery processes that depend on them. Best practices for preparing and storing samples destined for dispensing via acoustic methods have and are evolving. In this year's SIG meeting, speakers share their thoughts and experiences on best practices for optimal downstream results from acoustically dispensed samples.
    • From Source to Assay Plates: Acoustic Dispensing at Novartis Basel
      Daniel Baeschlin, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research
    • Application and Evolution of Acoustic Dispensing Technology in Early Drug Discovery
      Snehal Bhatt, GlaxoSmithKline
    • Enabling Acoustic Dispensing for HTS and Lead Optimization at Pfizer
      Rose Gonzales, Pfizer
    • A High Concentration Screening Library for Biophysical Screening — Plating, Storage & Delivery
      Michael Jobling, Elan
  • Screening Design and Assay Technology, Kenda Evans, Chair
    Topic: Screening Challenging Targets

    11:30 am Jonathan Lee, Ph.D., Eli Lilly, "Open Innovation for Phenotypic Drug Discovery: The PD2 Assay Panel"
    12:00 pm Robert Ames, Ph.D. and Lorena Kallal, Ph.D., GlaxoSmithKline,"Meeting the Assay Development Challenges of the Evolving Drug Discovery Portfolio."
    12:45 pm Group Discussion
  • Stem Cells, Marcie Glicksman and Sitta Sittampalam, Chairs
    Recruitment of new committee members and solicitation of ideas to determine what goals and programs are needed to serve the SLAS stem cell community are discussed. Newcomers are welcome.
  • Standards Initiatives, Gary Kramer, Chair
    Current Laboratory Automation Standards Activities
    Laboratory automation continues to be a dynamic, enabling field at the forefront of most scientific discoveries. However, the development and deployment of the automation is often impeded by needs to adapt to and accommodate multiple, and often proprietary, ways of accomplishing similar tasks. Often such encumbrances can be mitigated by having proven standard practices, protocols, or methods for dealing with common tasks. For many industries with shared commonalities to lab automation, the creation and utilization of consensus standards have proven to be both time- and cost-effective in ameliorating existing operations and enabling future activities. This session showcases current efforts that are in varying stages of developing lab automation standards. Each presentation focus on the project's definition, approach and scope, players and backers, current status, and future plans.
  • Women Professionals in Science and Technology, Robyn Rourick, Chair
    The goal of this forum is to establish a collaborative opportunity for Women Professionals in Science and Technology to connect and create a diverse network for sharing experiences and tools for development and success. The format is a round table discussion with attendees to identify what sorts of support/topics are of interest and what are some of the best formats for delivery. All are invited to attend and join in defining the direction of this new group.
  • Technology Transfer and CRO/CMO Project Management, Liming Shi, Chair
    Challenges and Strategies in Transfer of Cell-Based Potency Assays — Sponsor's Viewpoint
    Due to its unique complexity and variability by biological systems, call-based potency assays are considered to be one of the most challenging parts during technology transfer. The risks and pitfalls associated with the transfer will be addressed. The appropriate strategies for the successful transfer of cell-based potency assays is discussed with case studies.
    1. Outsourcing to China: The Risk/Benefit Trade-offs, Raymond Price, GenScript USA Inc., Chair
      The outsourcing model is attractive for virtual companies as a way to maintain their flexibility in the face of capital-intensive R&D spends, as well as larger pharma that seeks to move R&D resources away from 'commodity' activities to higher value-added efforts. The model still faces a number of challenges, however, this is covered in this session:
    2. Strategies for a Successful Technology Transfer to a CMO, Melissa Rosness, Althea Technologies, Inc., Chair
      Outsourcing is a growing trend in today's pharmaceutical environment. With outsourcing come the challenges of transferring processes and assays from your lab to another lab. This session discusses strategies and case studies for successful process implementation and technology transfers to a CMO.

Click here for a description of all the SLAS Special Interest Groups.

Click here if you are interested in starting a new Special Interest Group.