Association Studies/Biomarkers – The latest technology and thoughts in large scale association studies.  What does it take to consider a biomarker or association properly validated? Hear from thought leaders in academia, diagnostics, and biotech companies re: groundbreaking new research and methodologies

Next Gen DNA Sequencing – Hear from the top Next Generation DNA Sequencing companies on the recent advances in technology: sample prep, throughput, and accuracy, to data acquisition.  How will these companies fit into this emerging field to forge a new era of medicine.

Gene Expression/Epigenetics/ Copy Number –  From gene expression signatures related to phenotype to methylation patterns associated with disease, there are a multitude of genetic modifications that need to be considered in order to properly understand disease.  Hear from the top experts in the field on advances and research in these fields

Data –  How anonymous is anonymized data? What are best practices in encryption and network security? What are the cutting-edge approaches to data analysis and interpretation?  What are the guidelines for determining associations between phenotype and genotype?

Legal – What are the guidelines and intellectual property considerations regarding an association?  How does one “protect” the intellectual property of one’s panel? What are the liability concerns in personal genetic testing and diagnostics? How have relevant court cases been decided? What do you need to know about state/federal regulations? How comprehensively is data protected under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act? What are the intellectual property considerations in offering a genetic test?

Drug Development – How will the field of Direct to Consumer genetics aid in drug development?  What will be the interaction of pharmaceutical companies with the DTC market?  Will be data be shared or sold?  Hear from top leaders in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

Funding – What are the funding opportunities in this market from a venture capital and private equity perspective?  How do investment bankers perceive this market?  Hear from top leaders in the venture and investment banking industries

Diagnostics – How will the field of DTC effect the current business practices of diagnostic companies?  Will this change the paradigm?  What are the latest advances in molecular genetic diagnostics being offered?  Hear from top leaders in the diagnostics field

Direct to Consumer Company Showcase  – Hear from the top DTC companies in the field.  What are the challenges they face?  What are the successes?  How will they evolve with changing technology/legislation?

Technology  – What technological advances are needed to better the field of DTC?  What are the groundbreaking genetic/non-genetic technologies that will bolster scientific acceptance and bring the offerings to these companies to the mass market?

Technology Showcases  – please see the “Technology Showcase Tab” for a description

Roundtable  – These panels will be composed of top thought leaders from the genetics, legal, medical, and investment communities.  The panel will host a discussion on where it sees the field moving and what is needed in the short term and long term.