The already innovative field of clinical microbiology has recently been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic, its future increasingly being centred on the use of rapid molecular testing and application of genomics technologies. These approaches and the information generated are very different to those that have come before (typically culture-based and serological techniques).
This 3-part webinar series will explore the developments in the use of molecular and genomics approaches to clinical microbiology. The final webinar in the series will address lessons learned in clinical microbiology from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Webinar 1: Advances in pathogen identification and analysis
Wednesday 7th July 3pm BST/ 4pm CEST/ 10am EDT
This webinar will highlight the emerging and coupling of molecular tools to gain rapid insights in clinical microbiology, with a focus on sample collection and preparation, identification and characterization.
Impact of genomics on preventing meningococcal disease via vaccination – Martin Maiden, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, University of Oxford
What is new in molecular diagnostics in tuberculosis? – Stephen Gillespie, Professor, Infection and Global Health Division, University of St Andrew’s
Decoding the Unknown: Use of Clinical Metagenomics to Effectively Diagnose Infectious Diseases – John Rossen, Adjunct Professor, University of Utah
Webinar 2: Genomic studies of pathogens in outbreaks
Wednesday 14th July 3pm BST/ 4pm CEST/ 10am EDT
This webinar will focus on the use of genomic technologies to study pathogens for the detection and interference of outbreaks.
Establishing a WGS service for outbreaks in the NHS – Benjamin Parcell, Medical Microbiologist, University of Dundee
Whole Genome Sequencing Surveillance & Machine Learning of the Electronic Health Record for Outbreak Investigation – Alexander Sundermann, Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh
Webinar 3: Advances in microbiology and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
Wednesday 21st July 3pm BST/ 4pm CEST/ 10am EDT
Genomics and molecular testing have shaped our understanding of the pandemic, from surveillance and evolution, we have been able to characterise variants of concern and enable key public health decisions.
In this webinar, global experts will reflect on the lessons learned from the pandemic, how the pandemic has influenced other respiratory diseases, and how this influences the clinical microbiology field going forward.
Has COVID-19 Changed Clinical Microbiology Laboratories Forever? – Joseph Blondeau, Head of Clinical Microbiology, Royal University Hospital, Saskatchewan Health Authority and University of Saskatchewan
Field considerations on diagnostic COVID-19 tests – Olivier Vandenberg, Research and Innovation Unit, LHUB – ULB, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
The History and Future of PCR Testing for Diagnostics – Emma Mitchell, Diagnostic Product Specialist, PCR Biosystems
Speakers
Martin Maiden, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Stephen Gillespie, Professor, Infection and Global Health Division, University of St Andrews
John Rossen, Adjunct Professor, University of Utah
Benjamin Parcell, Medical Microbiologist, University of Dundee
Alexander Sundermann, Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh
Joseph Blondeau, Head of Clinical Microbiology, Royal University Hospital, Saskatchewan Health Authority and University of Saskatchewan
Olivier Vandenberg, Research and Innovation Unit, LHUB - ULB, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Emma Mitchell, Diagnostic Product Specialist, PCR Biosystems
