Rapid Test Workshop on Marine Toxins, Cyanotoxins, Mycotoxins, Histamine, and Antibiotic Residues

From: Hungerford, James M (james.hungerford@fda.hhs.gov)
Date: Thu Mar 27 2008 - 16:29:01 PDT

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    We are now opening registration for the Rapid Test Workshop on Marine
    Toxins, Cyanotoxins, Mycotoxins, Histamine, and Antibiotic Residues* to
    be held in Seattle June 15-17, 2008. Many expressed interest in the
    workshop, so register early. Although the discount for doing so is
    modest, course capacity is limited to available lab space and so we must
    operate "first-come-first-served" Hands-on sessions include the
    paralytic shellfish toxins (saxitoxins) the okadaic acid ("DSP") group,
    microcystins, aflatoxins, malachite green, chloramphenicol, among
    others. We will also include some developments in portable (field)
    instrumentation, but most emphasis will be on the kits.

    Workshop Goals: 1) Overview of principles of ELISA, 2) Survey of
    available ELISA and LFIC kits including some hands-on sessions, 3)
    Discussions of testing needs and challenges involved, and 4) Training in
    basic lab techniques of using microplate-based methods. Generally, we
    want to go beyond the usual workshop format, and provide information and
    training so that attendees can make their own objective evaluations and
    choices. (Several kit vendors will participate but we do not endorse any
    specific products).

    Lab Instructors: Dr Lyn Briggs of AgResearch, NZ (lead instructor) and
    also Mark Poli (USAMRIID) and Stacey Etheridge (CFSAN/FDA). These
    experts have extensive experience with immunochemical method development
    and/or assay application. There will also be subject matter lectures
    tailored to the specific areas (EPA on cyanotoxin testing needs, etc.)
    When not in lab sessions, attendees will be able to attend lectures by
    test kit vendors.

    AOAC - Workshop attendees can register at reduced rate (see page 2 of
    form) for the AOAC meeting that follows the workshop June 18, 19 in
    Tacoma, WA and listen to world class keynote speakers from Italy, New
    Zealand, and the US. Food-safety related topics include clinical
    analysis of a recent PSP (recreational harvest) outbreak, keys to
    successful ELISA development, a banquet talk by David Fyfe of the NWIFC
    (who some of you also know from his ISSC involvement) and in
    microbiology, molecular methods for outbreak trace-back. Other keynote
    topics include Field Flow Fractionation for biotechnology and
    nanotechnology, and the history of analytical chemistry. On June 19
    there is also validation-related training. Shortly we will release a
    detailed schedule.

    The Task Force on Marine and Freshwater Toxins will also meet at the
    AOAC Tacoma meeting in an open session that will also include expert
    presentations on methods for toxins (and other contaminants such as drug
    residues, melamine, etc) and also TF discussions, and TF progress
    update.

    *At this time we have opted to focus the workshop by ommitting the
    allergens topic. We apologize for this change, allergens best addressed
    separately and would restrict what can be done with the other topics.
    The workshop at this time is focused on seafoods and water testing.

     <<Kit Workshop Registration.doc>>

    James Hungerford, Ph.D.
    Chair of AOAC Task Force and GR, Marine and Freshwater Toxins,
    Research Chemist
    FDA, ORA, ATC
    22201 23rd Dr SE
    Bothell, WA 98021
    USA
    Phone 425-483-4894
    FAX 425-483-4996

    James.Hungerford@fda.hhs.gov





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