Towards A Medically Actionable Whole Genome Sequence

Recorded on June 20, 2012

Sponsored by Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Express Scripts

The Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Express Scripts created a "Validation Protocol" that is helping to define for the first time what it means to have a complete and accurate medically actionable whole human genome sequence. The primary role of the "Validation Protocol" is to enable the X PRIZE foundation to declare a winner of the $10 Million Competition in the Fall of 2013 without controversy. This webinar will describe the Validation Protocol in detail, as well as present preliminary data on the methodologies employed to reconstruct the fosmid data, compare sequencing technologies to minimize bias, and develop software for whole genome comparison to fosmid data for contestant grading.

Participants:

• Grant Campany, Senior Director, Archon Genomics X PRIZE presented by Express Scripts
• Justin H. Johnson, Director of Bioinformatics
• Marc Salit, Group Leader, Biochemical Science Multiplexed Biomolecular Science

Speaker Bios:

Grant Campany, Senior Director, Archon GenomicsX PRIZE presented by Express ScriptsGrant has over 20 years of experience leading corporate development and strategic program initiatives within the life sciences. In 2003, Grant formed a boutique management consulting firm to serve both non-profit organizations and biopharmaceutical companies.

Previously, Grant was Vice President of Business Development for PPD Discovery, which included overall responsibility for leading the commercial operations and staff for the genomics, chemistry and preclinical business units. Prior to joining PPD Discovery, Grant was the Director of Business Development for Onyx Pharmaceuticals where he led several strategic alliances, technology acquisitions and research collaborations with leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. While at Chiron Corp, Grant led the creation and implementation of Chiron's first global strategic planning initiative. In addition, Grant was responsible for New Product Planning and Business Development for Chiron Therapeutics.

Grant began his career with 3M Pharmaceuticals and led the development and implementation of 3M's first global R&D portfolio prioritization process across three technology platforms. Grant holds a BS in Business "With Distinction" and an MBA (with a concentration in corporate finance) from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.

Justin H. Johnson, Director of Bioinformatics.Justin is a proven and highly competent engineer, biotechnology manager, and entrepreneur with over 12 years experience in providing intuitive project management, professional leadership, and deep technical understanding on a wide variety of biotechnology and web based projects. Currently at Edge Bio, as the Director of Bioinformatics, he provides project leadership and management to software and interdisciplinary initiatives within projects, and works directly with scientists within and outside of Edge Bio. He is responsible for all informatics and IT work performed across the portfolio of work at Edge Bio. His research interests include Next Generation Sequencing Analysis, Cloud and High Performance Computing, ScaaS (Science as a Service), Bioinformatics Software Development, Social Media and the Life Sciences (Outreach, Education, and Integration). Previously, he was a Bioinformatics Manager at the J. Craig Venter Institute, a large multidisciplinary genomic-focused research organization. He is also the founder and CEO of inspiring design, LLC, a professional web design and online marketing company serving clients in Washington D.C metro area.

Marc Salit, Group Leader, Biochemical Science Multiplexed Biomolecular Science.Marc Salit is leading a group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) dedicated to technology development and measurement infrastructure (standards, reference data, predictive models) for massively multiplexed genome-scale measurement methods. This "Multiplexed Biomolecular Science" group is a multidisciplinary team growing out of work to address microarray measurement science issues, and a long-running effort in technology and measurement science in microfluidics.

Marc has worked extensively in measurement science in chemistry and physics, with emphasis on precision measurements, lab automation, algorithm development, measurement uncertainty, traceability, and standards development. His research is now focused on bringing experience from the chemical metrology community to the emerging biometrology community.