Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO; BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and clinical diagnostics, announced today that it will host its fifth international conference on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) on November 30, 2005 in Paris, France.

"For the past four years, this conference has provided a valuable forum in which the world's leading scientists, researchers, policy setters and laboratory professionals come together to discuss the latest developments in TSE research," said Brad Crutchfield, Bio-Rad Laboratories Vice President of Life Science. "This year's program will focus on human forms of TSEs and the control of TSEs in small ruminants."

Comprehensive Program to Focus on Prion Research, Trends in Therapy, Diagnostics and Human Strains of TSE.

The conference will open with presentations on the latest advancements in prion research and new trends in TSE diagnostics. Scientific presentations will review current trends in TSE therapy, prion amplification and genotyping human strains of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy. Among the scientific specialists presenting their research will be Dr. Paula Saa (University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA), Dr. Mark W. Head (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) and Dr. Armand Perret Liaudet (Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France).

The conference will also feature two panel discussions moderated by Dr. Jacques Grassi from the French Atomic Energy Commission. The first discussion will focus on the topic of genetic selection and control of TSEs in sheep. Dr. Jean-Michel Elsen (French National Institute for Agri-food Research, Toulouse) will provide an overview on genetic selection and review France's efforts to control TSEs in sheep; Dr. Juan-Maria Torres (National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Spain) will present his work on immunoassay development for genetic selection, and Dr. Olivier Andreoletti (French National Veterinary School, Toulouse) will discuss the influence of genotype on the pathogenesis of prion diseases in sheep.