SYNOPSIS:In this symposium, we will discuss the new developments in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology, including its extensive and limited use by the governmental agencies and industry, respectively, the new instruments, new applications, the analytical tools and the latest in scientific research. We will also address the challenges including legal considerations, benefits and future of HTS in food safety systems in the U.S. and beyond.

BACKGROUND: New technologies have a great impact on our lives, and their numbers and impacts are only growing. High-throughput or next-generation Sequencing (HTS/NGS) is one of these technologies, and since its invention, it has been reshaping and enriching various fields, including food safety and human health. New sequencers are becoming faster, cheaper, more portable, and powerful, producing higher throughput, better quality, and longer and larger number of reads. With an increase in computational power, HTS has generated its own ‘big data’ and analytical tools. However, the use and implementation of HTS have been both challenging and rewarding. HTS has shown great potential to tackle issues like pathogenicity, virulence, toxicity, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), helping enhance current food safety measures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) have recognized the power of HTS technology, and they have implemented and used it in their organizations for over a decade. It is also being used by some food companies. This HTS symposium provides a unique venue for experts from the agencies, food industry, biotechnology enterprises, analytical/consulting companies and academia to gather and discuss the news and views on the latest developments in this technology in relation to food safety.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The attendees will have the opportunity to meet with and hear from prominent scientists affiliated with FDA, CDC, USDA FSIS, academia, food industry, consulting, groups, analytical companies, and biotech enterprises. The topics include the news and views on HTS and food safety, the latest HTS inventions, innovations, instruments, products and research, their benefits, opportunities, obstacles and challenges, and implementation of HTS by the agencies and the industry.

Two panels of experts, one from the federal agencies, and the other from the industry and academia, will discuss HTS technology, its importance, power, impacts and values; the real and perceived obstacles of its use and implementation by the industry; and its possible future directions. The attendees will have the opportunity to network with this outstanding group of scientists and pose their questions to the panels and participate in their discussions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This symposium is designed to meet the needs of food safety professionals from industry, academia and government in food processing, food safety, quality assurance, regulatory functions, public health administration, and those involved in developing or using pathogen detection equipment and methods. Students in food science and food safety are strongly encouraged to attend this symposium.

Registrations are closed

7th IFSH High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) Symposium - POSTPONED