NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CellScape Corp, a molecular diagnostics company developing the first noninvasive prenatal genetic test using fetal cells from maternal blood, today announced that it is supporting a workshop with leading experts in the field of prenatal testing at the upcoming National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) 32nd Annual Education Conference (AEC). The session, "Comprehensive Prenatal Genetic Testing: Is Chromosomal Microarray Analysis the New Standard?", will take place Friday, October 11, 2013 at 7:00 AM PT at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

"Options for prenatal diagnostic testing continue to evolve as new technologies including chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) become available. A recent study supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has validated the utility of CMA in providing more information than the current standard of karyotype analysis," said Ted Snelgrove, Chief Executive Officer, CellScape. "In response to needs expressed by genetic counselors, we are pleased to support this educational session to examine the benefits and challenges of implementing CMA as a prenatal test."

The speakers scheduled to participate include Mary Norton, MD, FACMG, FACOG, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical and Translational Genetics in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco; Christa Lese Martin, PhD, FACMG, Director and Senior Investigator, Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute at Geisinger Health System; and Andy Faucett, MS, CGC, Director of Policy and Education for the Office of the Chief Scientific Officer at Geisinger Health System.

Dr. Norton will provide an overview of the recent changes in both invasive and noninvasive prenatal testing and will review the impact on clinical care resulting from the additional information provided by chromosomal microarray analysis.

Dr. Martin, co-author of the recent landmark NICHD study published in 2012 will review the study's findings that showed that chromosomal microarray analysis has a higher diagnostic yield than karyotyping for prenatal diagnosis. Lastly, Mr. Faucett, an experienced board-certified genetic counselor will outline the key issues and concerns in counseling for prenatal arrays.

About the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)

NSGC is the leading voice, authority and advocate for the genetic counseling profession, representing more than 2,900 health professionals. The organization is committed to ensuring that the public has access to genetic counseling and genetic testing. For more information, visit http://www.nsgc.org.

NSGC's AEC provides the latest information for the genetic counseling profession and addresses a wide variety of practice areas with diverse education sessions specifically designed for genetic counselors and genetic professionals.

About CellScape Corporation

CellScape Corporation is an innovative molecular diagnostics company developing a more comprehensive and safe prenatal testing solution for women. CellScape's proprietary Fetal Cell Technology enables it to isolate fetal cells specific to a woman's current pregnancy from a simple maternal blood draw. By isolating these cells, CellScape can access the pure and complete fetal genome. CellScape's first product in development, Clarity(TM) Prenatal Genetic test, will use targeted Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) to detect prenatally relevant cytogenetic abnormalities. For additional information, please visit http://www.cellscapecorp.com.

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CellScape to Sponsor Educational Workshop at National Society of Genetic Counselors' Annual Education Conference

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