Overview
Our Histocompatibility Specialist Course will be conducted virtually this year! To ensure the safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff the 2021 course will be held virtually on the weeks of June 7-11, 14-18, and 21-25. Course presentations will be pre-recorded. Live Q&A sessions will be held on Friday, June 11, 18, and 25 from 10-11 am ET and 5-6 pm ET. To accommodate all schedules, both AM and PM live Q&A sessions will be held and recorded for future reference.
Presentations will be pre-recorded. The speakers will be present for the live Q&A sessions as outlined above. Each weeks lectures will be available for two weeks for attendees to view.
June 7-11, 2021
June 14-18, 2021 and
June 21-25, 2021
Registration Fees:
$650
Objectives
PURPOSE: The curriculum is designed for senior technologists and new laboratory directors to raise the standards of practice in clinical histocompatibility testing by promoting excellence in clinical laboratory medicine and providing a fundamental educational program to prepare for the ACHI CHS or Diplomate certification.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of the course, the successful student will:
- Recall important topics in histocompatibility science
- Analyze disparate sets of data to arrive at a decision about a clinical test result
- Relate covered topics to clinical histocompatibility testing
SYLLABUS: Each student is encouraged to print out as needed the lecture outlines and presen-tations from the platform. The following items will be housed there:
- Lecture videos & outlines
- Procedures with applications
- References and bibliography
CURRICULUM: The curriculum focus is on histocompatibility testing: theory and principle, pro-cedure, application and management. Course presentations will be pre-recorded and available for one week with Q&A sessions on Friday, June 11, 18 and 25. To accommodate all schedules, both AM and PM live Q&A sessions will be held and recorded for future reference.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Technologist in Histocompatibility Testing, with a minimum (3) years working experience and/or a formal course in immunology or genetics; or a new laborato-ry director; and active ASHI membership (recommended).
This course will have a limited number of registrants; early registration is recommended.
Call the AFDT Office at 804-323-9890 OR email Arlene Skinner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with program questions.
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATIMUM SPONSORS
Registration
Please complete the form below to register for the Histocompatibility Specialists Course. Registration is not complete until the $650 payment is submitted.
Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATIMUM SPONSORS
Week 1 Lectures
WEEK 1 PRE-RECORDED BASIC SCIENCE LECTURES (JUNE 7-11)
Introduction to Transplant Immunology
(Michael Gautreaux)
- "Laws" of Transplantation
- History and Impact
- Immunity
- Declaration of Istanbul
MHC Genetics -Part I
(Michael Gautreaux)
- MHC Gene Complex -Loci, Gene Classes
- Non-MHC Genes
- Class I and Class II Genes
- Organization, Production-structure
- Expression & Regulation
Innate Immunity
(Amy Hahn)
- Pattern Recognition Receptors
- Inflammation
- Cytokines and Chemokines
- Innate Immune Cells, NK cells and NK Receptors
Molecular Basis of Allorecognition
(Amy Hahn)
- Antigen Processing and Presentation
- Allorecognition
- Functions of Non-Classical MHC-like Molecules
Adaptive Immunity
(Michael Gautreaux)
- Immunoglobulin & TCR Gene Rearrangement
- TCR, MHC & Accessory Molecule Interactions
- T Cell Activation & Effector T cells
- B Cell Activation & Antibody Production
MHC Genetics -Part II
(Michael Gautreaux)
- HLA Polymorphism
- Variable Sites
- Generation
- Maintenance
- Linkage Disequilibrium
Genetic Concepts Applicable to Immunogenetics - Part 1 Basic Genetics
(Loren Gragert)
- Gene Regulation and Expression
- Gene Transmission - Mendelian Genetics
- Genetic Change
- Genomics and Proteomics
Immunoregulation and Tolerance
(Amy Hahn)
- Thymic Selection
- Activation vs Inhibition
- Signals & Pathways
- Apoptosis and Activation-Induced Cell Death
- Clonal Deletion
- Regulatory Cells
Genetic Concepts Applicable to Immunogenetics - Part 2 Population Genetics and Statistics
(Loren Gragert)
- Calculation of Gene (allele) Frequencies & Phenotype Frequencies
- Hardy-Weinberg Testing
- Haplotype Estimation and LD
- Tests of Selection
- Genetic Distance
- Contingency Table Testing and Related Stats
- Logistic Regression
- Family-based Association Tests
LIVE Q&A SESSIONS (FRIDAY, JUNE 11)
10-11 AM AND 5-6 PM ET
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATIMUM SPONSORS
Week 2 Lectures
WEEK 2 PRE-RECORDED LAB SCIENCE LECTURES (JUNE 14-18)
Molecular Biology Techniques -HLA Typing
(Gerald Morris)
- DNA Structure and Preparation
- Denaturation/Annealing
- Oligonucleotide Probe Hybridization
- Labeling/Detection
- DNA Synthesis, PCR, DNA Sequencing
Optimizing Solid Phase Assays
(Robert Liwski)
- SAB Optimization
- Role of Standardization
- Denatured Epitopes
- Interference
- Serum Treatment
DNA Based HLA Typing Methods
(Gerald Morris)
- SSOPH, SSP, RT-PCR, SBT
- Techniques to Identify HLA Alleles
Antibodies: Mechanism of Action & New Tools
(Annette Jackson)
- Antibody and Complement
- C4d, C3d and C1q Assays
- IgG Subclass Analysis
- ABO Incompatible and Accommodation
Next Generation Sequencing
(Gerald Morris)
- Wet Lab Preparation and QC of NGS Samples
- Analysis and QC of NGS Data
- Clinical Utility of NGS Typing for HSCT and Solid OrganTransplant
Basic Principles of Flow Cytometry
(Robert Liwski)
- Basic concepts of Flow Cytometry
- Fluorescence and Fluorochromes
- Lasers and Photodetectors
- Compensation
- Data Analysis
- Fluorescence Units and Scales
HLA Informatics
(Loren Gragert)
- Accessing the Tools on the IMGT/HLA and Other Websites
- Matching Within a Family
- Resolution of Typing for Unrelated Search
- Results of Unrelated Donor/Cord Blood Search
- Mismatched Donor Based on DP Epitope Matching
- Other Useful Tools
Advanced Flow Cytometry
(Robert Liwski)
- Application and Principles of Flow Crossmatch
- Assay Optimization
- Role of Standardization
- Correlation with VXM
- Cell Isolation and Treatment
- Calculating and Validating Cutoffs
- Choosing Control Sera
ABO Basics and Blood Bank Issues for the HLA Lab
(Robert Liwski)
- ABO Grouping, Subgrouping and Titers
- ABO Incompatible Solid Organ Transplant
- Other Blood Bank Issues Involving HLA lab -TRALI, Platelet Refractoriness, Platelet Donor Selection
Epitope Analysis for Interpreting HLA Antibody Results
(Robert Liwski)
- Characterization of HLA Epitopes: TerEps and Eplets
- HLA Matchmaker
- Epitope Registry
- Epitope Analysis Cases
Chimerism
(Peter Lalli)
- What Chimerism Is
- Chimerism Testing in Cellular Therapeutics
- Current Technologies used to Quantify Donor Chimerism
- How Chimerism Data Influences Clinical Decisions
Antibody Issues
(Annette Jackson)
- Antibodies: The Basics
- Therapeutics and Test Interference
- Non-HLA Antibodies
- Endothelial Crossmatch
- HLA Antibodies in HSCT
Solid Phase Assay Basics
(Annette Jackson)
- Interpretation Issues
- Problems and Pitfalls
- Defining Unacceptable Antigens
- Virtual Crossmatches
LIVE Q&A SESSIONS (FRIDAY, JUNE 18)
10-11 AM AND 5-6 PM ET
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATIMUM SPONSORS
Week 3 Lectures
WEEK 3 PRE-RECORDED CLINICAL SCIENCE & OTHER LECTURES (JUNE 21-25)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
(Peter Lalli)
- Fatal Blood Diseases Treated with Transplantation
- Donor Search Process & Donor Selection Criteria
- HSC Transplant Procedure
- Sources of Stem Cells
- Laboratory Tests - Patient and Donor
Clinical Intervention in Transplantation
(Millie Samaniego)
- Causes of ESRD, Indications and Contraindications for Txp
- Immunosuppression Protocols: Standard and New Drugs, Steroid
- Sparing
- Targets of Immunosuppression
- Role of Lab in Supporting Clinical Practice
HLA Disease Associations and Drug Hypersensitivities
(Amy Hahn)
- Characteristics of HLA Associated Diseases
- Molecular Mechanisms of Common Disease Associations
- HLA Association with Drug Hypersensitivity
Laboratory Management
(Walter Herczyk)
- Lab Management
- Safety and Risk Management
Transplanting the Sensitized Patient
(Annette Jackson)
- Desensitization Strategies
- Crossing DSA Barriers (Solid Organ & HSCT)
- Quantifying HLA - Specific B Cell Memory
- Kidney Paired Donation - HLA Perspective
- KAS: New Transplant Opportunities
Cost Report
(Amy Hahn)
- Interim Reimbursement Rates
- Cost Report for Independent Labs
Lab Accreditation
(Zahra Kashi)
- Inspection Process - ASHI & CAP
- Other Regulatory Agencies -CMS, JC, UNOS, NMDP, FACT, OSHA, FDA
Solid Organ Transplant Immunology - Part 1
(Millie Samaniego)
- Allograft Rejection: Types and Diagnosis
- Clinical Approaches to Tolerance Induction
- Immunomodulation
Implementing an Effective QA Program
(Walter Herczyk)
- Designing a QA Program
- Quality Indicators and Monitoring
- Root Cause Analysis
- QAPI
- Competency Assessment
Solid Organ Transplant Immunology -Part 2
(Millie Samaniego)
- Pathology
- Allograft Pathology
- Methods of Assessing Graft Function
- KPD Programs
LIVE Q&A SESSIONS (FRIDAY, JUNE 25)
10-11 AM AND 5-6 PM ET
