Six pre-conference training courses will be scheduled on Wednesday 21 April from 09.00-12.30 hrs. These will be available to a limited number of participants per course; pre-registration is required. For the programme details, see the full programme (available by 1 September 2020)
Course 1: B-CELL ANALYSIS IN IMMUNODEFICIENCIES, AUTOIMMUNITY AND INFECTIONS
Organiser: Martin Perez-Andres (Salamanca, Spain)
Level: Advanced. Maximum number of places: 20.
The course will start with a detailed review of the analysis of circulating B-cells and plasma cells in humans, including the technical requirements, the most informative maturation and activation markers (including markers for IgH isotypes and subclasses) and the age-associated distribution of human B-cells and plasma cells in peripheral blood. In the second part, the clinical impact for diagnosis and classification of antibody defects, and monitoring of autoimmunity and infections, will be discussed. At the end, the participants will be trained in the identification of up to 120 B-cell subsets in peripheral blood using automated tooll for multidimensional analysis.
Course 2: MEASURABLE RESIDUAL DISEASE IN MM
Organiser: Juan Flores-Montero (Salamanca, ES)
Level: Advanced. Maximum number of places: 20.
Measurable residual disease (MRD) detection during follow-up is one of the aspects currently drawing more attention in multiple myeloma (MM). Growing evidence is being gathered that confirms the clinical relevance of MRD detection, particularly for the most recent high-sensitive methodologies, as they continue to move closer to the routine clinical laboratory. In this curse we will review the utility of MRD detection in clinical practice and, deepen our understanding on the Next Generation Flow methodology by gaining first-hand practical experience on data analysis, interpretation and reporting.
Course 3: PLATELET CHARACTERIZATION BY FLOW CYTOMETRY
Organiser: José-Enrique O'Connor (Valencia, ES)
Level: Basic. Maximum number of places: 20
Throughout this course participants will be guided through the fascinating world of platelet cytometry. Platelet phenotype and functional responses have been considered traditionally complicated aspects for clinical cytometry. However, most difficulties in platelet cytometry are overcome by appropriate sample preparation and by carefully designed flow cytometric setup and assay optimization. The state of the art in platelet flow cytometry has made its way far beyond the description of hemostatic disorders. The course will illustrate the relevance and practical application of multiparametric flow cytometry to the clinical analysis of platelet and platelet-derived microvesicles. Special focus will be put on the technical bases of sample preparation, including guidelines for assay optimization and standardization. Participants will gain practical experience by analyzing listmode files of real cases from diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic settings.
Course 4: VALIDATION AND ISO ACCREDITATION OF MFC ASSAYS
Organisers: Iuri Marinov (Prague, CZ) and Frank Preijers (Nijmegen, NL)
Level: Advanced. Maximum number of places: 20
In the first part of the course participants will receive a comprehensive review of the Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. During the second part participants will learn the approaches for preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical validation procedures for in-house MFC methods. In the last part participants will gain understanding of the requirements for ISO 5189 accreditation.
Course 5: FUNCTIONAL MFC
Organiser: Mathias Streitz (Berlin, DE)
Level: Intermediate. Maximum number of places: 20
This course addresses the use of MFC for functional analysis of human immune cells using surface markers and intracellular markers. We will discuss several aspects, from marker selection, functional panel design and optimization to data analysis and interpretation. Special attention is paid to the limitations of the use of markers and pitfalls in the context of research and clinical trials.
Course 6: ESCCAbase: AN ALL-PURPOSES PROJECT
Organiser: Stefano Papa (Urbino, IT)
Level: Basic/Intermediate. Maximum number of places: 20. Participants are required to bring their laptop.
In the first part of this course, we will deal with the role of repositories in flow cytometry, with particular attention to the birth and development of ESCCABase. Particular attention will be paid to its characteristics, its ways of use, and its multiple possibilities. In the second part, participants will be practically involved in the use of the program aimed at diagnosing selected cases of hematological malignancies; a simulation of proficiency assessment will be held at the end of the session.
