Released on: April 21, 2008, 10:06 am

Press Release Author: Raniah/GTCbio

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: Dr. Bruederle will present on two different strategies in
assay discovery using conformation-dependent protein interactions and pH sensitive
dyes for sensitive cell based detection.

Press Release Body: MONROVIA, CA - Dr. Cathrin E. Bruederle, from the Foodborne
Contamination Research Unit of the Western Regional Research Center at USDA
Agricultural Research Service will give a presentation at GTCbio's 3rd Assay
Development & Screening Technologies Conference on June 5-6, 2008 in San Francisco,
CA. Dr. Bruederle will present on two different strategies in assay discovery using
conformation-dependent protein interactions and pH sensitive dyes for sensitive cell
based detection.

Dr. Bruederle's objective is the identification of interaction partners for PrP
(prion protein) as potential targets for diagnosis of prion disease. Dr. Bruederle
and his group used a PVDF membrane format, displaying peptide arrays corresponding
to distinct functional domains within protein families, to capture detergent
resistant membranes (DRM) isolated from normal or infected brain. This strategy
identified a several peptides that interact specifically with DRM containing either
PrPc or PrPsc, the isoforms of PrP characteristic of normal and diseased brain,
respectively. Dr. Bruederle's other objective is a cell-based test for detection of
botulinum neurotoxin in food. Dr. Bruederle's and his group established primary
neuron culture as model system to visualize fusion of synaptic vesicles using
pH-sensitive fluorophores. Inhibition of vesicle fusion by botulinum toxin is
translated into a calibration curve. Transferring this method from a
microscope-based system to a 96-well format provides a very sensitive and high
throughput screening method for the toxin. The audience will learn how to translate
methodology usually used for basic research to a format useful for assay development

GTCbio\'s 3rd Assay Development and Screening Technologies conference will provide
attendees with critical information to utilize in the discovery and development of
assays, while keeping them informed about the latest screening technologies for both
high-throughput screening and high-content screening. Topics being covered include
cell based assays, high throughput screening, high content screening, in vitro
assays and screening, novel assay and screening technologies, and target validation.



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Monrovia, CA 91016
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Fax 626 256 6460
raniah@gtcbio.com