qPCR 2011 - 5th international qPCR Symposium & Industrial Exhibition & Application Workshop
28th March - 1st April 2011, in Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
Technical University of Munich, Physiology-Weihenstephan, Germany
Molecular Diagnostics: from single-cells to Next-Generation-Sequencing
The qPCR 2011 Event is organized jointly by Chair of Physiology, Technische Universität München (TUM)& BioEPS GmbH, Freising, Germany

www.qPCR2011.net

The Chair of Physiology Weihenstephan at the Technische Universität München is organizing the 5th international qPCR 2011 Event taking place March 28th – April 1st 2011 in Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany. Scientists from all around the world will come to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss the exciting future of the perhaps most powerful analytical technology ever developed in the life sciences area – the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). More than 60 international speakers will present their latest research findings in the qPCR field. Focus of the event will be on Molecular Diagnostics - from single-cells to Next Generation Sequencing.

Using qPCR the amount of target nucleic acid in a complex sample can be determined with high precision, great accuracy, excellent specificity and the ultimate sensitivity of detecting a single molecule. The technique has revolutionized all molecular sciences and diagnostic applications. Conference presentations will include high throughput applications & Next Generation Sequencing, improved instrumentation, high performance nucleic acid extraction, single-cell applications, and application involving siRNAs and microRNA. Further developments of qPCR technology that will be presented include miniaturization, high throughput platforms, cost efficacy, validity, flexibility, quality assessment and reliable data calculations and interpretation. A specific focus will be on the application of the “MIQE Guidelines”, on optimization and standardization of the quantitative PCR workflow.

Today there is no field in the life sciences research and diagnostics areas that has not introduced qPCR technology for nucleic acid analysis. The combination with reverse transcription enables determination of mRNA and widely opens the window for “Transcriptomics” – the first step of gene expression and “Functional Genomics”.

In connection with the symposium three practical qPCR Workshops will be held March 30th – 1st April 2011 by the TATAA Biocenter (www.tataa.com) - the leading qPCR service provider in Europe. The 2-day workshops are hosted by international renowned scientists and experts in the field. The workshop themes will be: (1) Classical qPCR Application Workshop; (2) qPCR data analysis - Biostatistics & Expression Profiling; (3) MIQE guidelines & Practical primer-design.

An Industrial Exhibition will take place parallel to the symposium, with 30 leading biotechnology companies presenting their latest developments and services in the PCR field, including real-time PCR cyclers, nucleic acid extraction robots, consumables, fluorescence dyes, DNA and RNA detection and amplification chemistries, as well as real-time PCR data analysis software.
Participating companies and event sponsors: Roche Applied Science, Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad, Qiagen, Exiqon, Biosearch Technologies, Sigma Life Science, IDT - Integrated DNA Technology, Nanostring, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Premier Biosoft International, … und more.

The Physiology Weihenstephan at the Center of Life and Food Sciences of Technische Universität München, chaired by Prof. Heinrich H. D. Meyer, is a leading authority in the molecular physiology of mammalian species. Cutting edge biochemical and molecular biology techniques are established for basic and applied research on the regulation of reproduction, lactation, immunology, and growth. Both traditional endocrinology and paracrine regulations are studied in numerous tissues. Dr. Michael W. Pfaffl is developing qRT-PCR methods, software algorithms and tools for quantitative gene expression analysis. He also maintains the leading qPCR information web page: www.Gene-Quantification.info

For more information about the qPCR 2011 event see www.qPCR2011.net or contact Dr. Michael W. Pfaffl qPCR2011@wzw.tum.de or Dr. Martina Reiter BioEPS GmbH martina.reiter@bioeps.com