ColLABorate 2025

On 12/28/2024 the updated CLIA personnel regulations took effect.  This presentation will address the new CLIA personnel regulations and interpretive guidelines.  We will explain the new pathways to qualify as Laboratory Director, Technical Consultant, Technical Supervisor, General Supervisor and Testing Personnel.  Additionally, we will discuss the added responsibility of onsite visits for the Laboratory Director and have time for questions.
Learning Objectives:

1. summarize the educational qualifications for CLIA personnel.
2. define the Laboratory Director's responsibilities regarding onsite visits.
3. ask questions and receive answers to the CLIA regulations.

Explore the critical role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) in optimizing coagulation therapy. This presentation delves into the significance of TDM, relevant laboratory tests, and practical applications in today’s clinical laboratory. Additionally, learn how TDM and coagulation results empower healthcare professionals to fine-tune anticoagulation therapy for improved patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in managing anticoagulant therapy
2. Identify key coagulation parameters and laboratory tests used in TDM
3. Apply and analyze practical applications of TDM in the coagulation laboratory

Flow cytometry is a scientific tool that is widely utilized in clinical and research laboratories to enable the phenotypic and functional characterization of cells by identifying specific molecules (proteins, DNA and RNA) expressed on the surface of the cell, or in the cytoplasm and even the nucleus.   Fluorescence-based flow cytometry was developed in the late 1960s and first utilized as a research tool in 1970 by Leonard Herzenberg at Stanford University.  Since that time, this technology has evolved rapidly revolutionizing our understanding of immunology, hematology and cell biology.  Beginning with three parameter analyses in the 1970’s, the latest instruments can capture information on over 40 parameters per cell within a few seconds to minutes using as little as 100-500μL of each sample.  In the clinical laboratory, these advances have been successfully leveraged to aid in the rapid diagnosis of complex immunologic disorders such as primary immunodeficiency diseases.  As the resolution capacity of the flow cytometers has advanced, so has the complexity involved in data acquisition and analyses.   Assay set up (which is predominantly manual in nature), sample acquisition on the flow cytometer and subsequent analyses and interpretation of complex data sets can take time and requires specialized training and expertise.
Learning Objectives:

1. Outline the basic principles of flow cytometry
2. Demonstrate how flow cytometry is used to define the normal and aberrant phenotypic properties of cells (immunophenotyping)
3. Elucidate the power of flow cytometry to help characterize the normal and aberrant signaling properties of cells (functional analyses)

Artificial Intelligence is now the most trendy topic in technology. What even /is/ AI and how could it be utilized in the lab? What safety and ethical concerns arise from its use? Who truly benefits and how?
Learning Objectives:

1. Clearly differentiate the distinctions between an algorithm and artificial intelligence
2. Define and deconstruct the meaning of "AI learning model"
3. Evaluate an AI technical solution for both accuracy and appropriateness

Advanced sequencing methods, coupled with sophisticated bioinformatics tools, have revolutionized molecular testing, enabling unprecedented insights into genetic and genomic data. This powerful partnership facilitates the accurate identification of genetic variations, disease markers, and therapeutic targets.
Learning Objectives:

1. Introduction to sequencing and molecular testing
2. To learn the computer analysis steps involved in analyzing sequence data
3. To know the impact of advanced molecular tests in patient care