Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) in Precision Oncology and MRD: Perspectives from the Trenches

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM PST

Location: 116 & 117, Level 1

Corporate Workshop Speaker(s)

Prithwish Pal, PhD

Director, Global Product Marketing, Oncology
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., California, United States
William LaFramboise, PhD

Chief Genomics Technology Officer
Allegheny Health Network
Gary Pestano, PhD

Chief Development Officer
Biodesix
Boulder, Colorado, United States

This workshop will discuss how Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) can be used for highly sensitive mutation detection assays, as well as for emerging applications such as Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) monitoring. It will highlight the advantages such as speed, lower cost, and reduced workflow complexity compared to orthogonal molecular testing technologies, especially for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. Dr LaFramboise will discuss the development of a MRD assay using ddPCR and its application in an integrated health network setting. Dr. Pestano will discuss how his team at Biodesix leverages ddPCR to develop novel blood tests to aid the diagnosis and management of lung cancer, and how Biodesix is collaborating with academia and industry to drive widespread clinical adoption of ctDNA testing.   