In the last few years, interrogation of the role of altered genes in cancer has been greatly facilitated by the use of CRISPR/Cas. This gene-editing approach is a key research tool for modulating gene expression (knockout and knockin) efficiently and precisely. However, this approach can be limited depending on the cell type (hard-to-transduce, or primary cells). Such limitations are a challenging roadblock to advancing studies of a wide spectrum of malignant cells.

Patients with hypodiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) present with very poor prognosis (5-year event free survival <29%). These cells have been shown to exhibit mutations in p53 in >90% of cases (Diaz-Flores et al., Cancer Research, 2019). To better understand the mechanism of resistance that arises from p53 mutations, we wished to generate isogenic hypodiploid cell lines (including NALM-16) deficient in p53 and with knocking alleles of p53 wildtype or different mutant versions.

This seminar will cover the steps taken to go from 1%–2% lentiviral transduction efficiency to >95% in hard-to-transduce hypodiploid cell lines and primary cells. We will present how we were able to quickly and gently enrich transduced clones to allow such high transduction efficiency and the generation of knockouts for further studies.

During the webinar, the viewers will:

• Discover the challenges and opportunities behind creating isogenic, hard-to-transduce hypodiploid cell lines and primary cells
• Obtain insights into how different prepackaged CRISPR guide RNA lentiviruses require different measurable conditions for efficient transduction
• Learn how early selection of purified viable cells can greatly enhance downstream applications, including the generation of patient-derived xenografts
• Be able to ask questions during the live broadcast.

This webinar will last for approximately 60 minutes.

Identifying more sensitive biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an unmet medical need. It is key in the global efforts to validate disease-modifying AD therapeutics and identify appropriate recipients in clinical trials once more therapies are approved. Fluid biomarkers, especially plasma-based biomarkers, become the most attractive ones as they are non-invasive, relatively economical, and easy to obtain. Emerging blood biomarkers, including amyloid β monomers, oligomers, tau/p-tau, neurofilament light chain, and inflammatory factors, are gathering tremendous research interest. However, there are also challenges in developing blood biomarkers for neurological disease with specificity, precision, and reproducibility. First, biologically, there could be a tiny amount of proteins of the central nervous system entering into the peripheral bloodstream. Second, biochemically, the enriched and complex matrix of human blood strongly interferes with the detection system we use for protein identification and quantification. Third, technically, it is critical to establish a system with high reliability that is also capable of high throughput. Our expert speakers will discuss strategies in developing an ultrasensitive immunoassay* to precisely measure oligomeric amyloid β in human plasma.

During the webinar, the viewers will:

• Obtain insights into blood-based biomarkers used in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Discover the challenges and opportunities behind creating blood-based biomarker immunoassays
• Be able to ask questions during the live broadcast.

This webinar will last for approximately 60 minutes.

*For Research Use Only. Not For Use In Diagnostic Procedures.

The translation of bench research into the clinical environment has accelerated significantly in recent years, and the need for clinically validated workflows has never been stronger. This webinar takes a closer look at this need, particularly in the oncology space, and discusses what the future for workflow validation might be. The considerable knowledge built up over years—and especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic—is relevant to many disease states and can be applied universally, ensuring that globally standardized, scalable technologies can realize their full clinical potential.

The discussion will include:

• The latest developments in integrated diagnostics and patient profiling, combining molecular and proteomics workflows
• The urgent need for translational research of biomarkers that have clinical relevance for optimizing diagnosis and treatment plans
• The challenges of translating new techniques—such as liquid biopsies—into regulated, scalable methodologies that will drive future global diagnostics and therapeutics
• The importance of building firm foundations in robust and reproducible research technologies, democratization of automated workflows, and digital connectivity of data.

This webinar will last for approximately 60 minutes.