The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (ACMGF) has awarded Dr. Marilyn M. Li, of the Tulane Medical Center and the Tulane University School of Medicine the 2010-2011 Luminex/ACMGF Award at the ACMG 2010 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The award includes a $100,000 grant and is aimed at the promotion of safe and effective genetic testing and services, including the development of research guidelines.
"Medical geneticists have an integral role in translating genetic research into medical services and in ensuring the safe integration of genetics into healthcare and public health. The Luminex/ACMGF Award recognizes this vital role of medical geneticists by supporting an individual in undertaking activities that promote the uppermost levels of safety and effectiveness in genetic testing and genetic services," said R. Rodney Howell, MD, FACMG, President of the ACMGF.
Dr. Li is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Tulane Medical Center, in New Orleans, Associate Director of the Hayward Genetics Center, Director of the Cytogenetics and Laboratory and Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory at the Tulane University School of Medicine and the Director of the Genetics/Genomics Core Laboratory of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.
In response to the growing interest of applying microarray technology in cancer diagnosis, Dr. Li initiated and organized, along with Dr. Anwar Iqbal of University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Dr. Charles Lee of Harvard Medical School, the Cancer Cytogenomics Microarray Consortium (CCMC). Dr. Li and her co-PI Dr. Iqbal will study the efficacy of microarray-based testing for detection of genetic aberrations in hematologic malignancies. Their goals are to develop and validate a microarray design specific for cancer diagnosis, to establish a diagnostic algorithm, and to propose practical guidelines. The results of this project will facilitate the development and utilization of microarray-based technology for high quality, reliable cancer genetic testing in CLIA certified diagnostic laboratories..
Note to editors: To arrange interviews with experts in medical genetics, contact Kathy Beal, MBA, ACMG Director of Public Relations at kbeal@acmg.net or 301-238-4582.
About the American College of Medical Genetics
Founded in 1991, the American College of Medical Genetics (www.acmg.net) advances the practice of medical genetics by providing education, resources and a voice for more than 1400 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals committed to the practice of medical genetics. ACMG's activities include the development of laboratory and practice standards and guidelines, advocating for quality genetic services in healthcare and in public health, and promoting the development of methods to diagnose, treat and prevent genetic disease. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG's website (www.acmg.net) offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Medical Geneticist Locator. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals. The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (www.acmgfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding the College's diverse efforts to translate genes into health.
About Luminex Corporation Luminex Corporation develops manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the diagnostic and life sciences industries. The Company's xMAP® multiplex solutions include an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology platform that delivers fast, accurate and cost effective bioassay results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, including the genomics and proteomics markets. The Company's xMAP Technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading clinical laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP Technology can be obtained at www.luminexcorp.com.