April 29, 2015
1:00PM – 2:00PM EST

Sponsored by

Webinar Description:

Traditional ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) detection is performed using the chromogenic horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). However, TMB detection is ill-suited for many applications due to its limited sensitivity, high intra- and inter-assay variability, poor signal stability and inconsistent reaction kinetics. Sword Diagnostics has developed a highly sensitive detection technology for HRP-based ELISAs using the principles of Raman scattering that produces Raman-active molecules with enhanced signal amplification. This provides more signal relative to background at lower enzyme concentrations, allowing detection of analytes at very low concentrations. In addition to its enhanced low-end signal detection, this substrate is ideal due to its low inter- and intra-assay variability, consistent reaction kinetics and improved signal stability. Sword’s detection technology represents an important advancement in enzyme immunoassays (EIA), providing improved sensitivity, consistency and stability needed for many applications.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate the effictiveness of Sword’s product and the benefit of assay currency.
• Discuss the importance of sensitivity for ELISA users.
• Discuss the importance of precision.

Who should attend:

• Assay Developers
• Lab Managers
• Scientists
• Lab technicians

Speakers:

Jeff Altenburg, Ph.D.

Sword Diagnostics

Dr. Altenburg holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has six years of postdoctoral experience in two labs where he specialized in anti-cancer effects of novel drugs and nutritional compounds. His current studies involve investigation of a novel class of drugs in lymphoma progression. Dr. Altenburg researched the inhibitory effects of a newly discovered chemokine on HIV target cell entry for his PhD studies. His expertise includes experimental design, hypothesis generation, scientific writing and presentation, and in vitro diagnostic assays.

Megan Dobbs

Application Scientist, R&D

Sword Diagnostics

Megan Dobbs is a cell and molecular biologist with more than ten years of experience in life science research, with the majority of her career focused on the development and optimization of immunoassays. Ms. Dobbs has previously worked in Research & Development for Thermo Fisher Scientific (legacy Pierce Biotechnology) and conducted research at her alma mater, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Northwestern University. Her previous immunoassay development work includes developing more sensitive tests to detect immune responses to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) in Rhesus Macaques and developing Western blot and ELISA products for Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pierce). She also contributed extensively to the development of several bioluminescent reporter assays for Thermo Fisher. Ms. Dobbs has a B.S. in genetics and bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has completed extensive graduate coursework in the field of medical biotechnology.

Rob Donoho

VP Business Development

Sword Diagnostics

Mr. Donoho has more than 15 years of experience in Strategy Development and Executive for early stage life sciences companies. Focusing on profit-driven technology solutions for the life sciences market, Mr. Donoho brings to Sword his in-depth knowledge and network of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology clients and their processes. Mr. Donoho, an expert in “Chasm” Technology Adoption, specializes in establishing long term partnerships with clients in the Pharm bio industry. His previous positions include:

• Head of Market Development, Roche Diagnostics. Mr. Donoho developed and led Roche Diagnostics BioMarker Partnership Program attaining 12.1% revenue growth to $17M
• Manager of Global Strategic Marketing, Beckman Coulter Strategic Marketing. In this position, Mr. Donoho developed 2 flagship automation products, attaining 21% growth to $147M
• Earlier positions also include Vice President Sales & Marketing for Griffin Analytical Technologies, North American Sales Manager for Sagian (Beckman), and Sales Engineer for ASM – Agilent Technologies