Mission & Objectives


Molecular diagnostics (MDx) has become an essential component of clinical and public health microbiology. Recent advances in MDx (such as qPCR, multiplexing) allow the speedy detection and quantification of microbial nucleic acid targets with greater than ever accuracy. Integration of in-house and commercial molecular assays in laboratory workflows, together with other new technologies (such as MALDI-TOF) complement and occasionally replace traditional methods. The increasing accessibility to next-generation sequencing is further transforming microbiology and genomic-based diagnostics are being developed and implemented via whole-genome sequencing of microbes as well as metagenomics approaches. ESGMD is a cross-cutting study group under ESCMID that is dedicated to new innovative diagnostic approaches in clinical microbiology. As such it is envisaged to serve as the focus of expertise for molecular and genomic microbiology and as a hub for all professionals working in this field.

Key objectives:

  1. Study all aspects of the use of molecular and genomic techniques underpinning the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of infectious diseases.
  2. Lead the development, appraisal and implementation of new diagnostic strategies.
  3. Initiate and coordinate international research projects to improve infectious diseases diagnosis.
  4. Train and educate professionals engaged in new diagnostics and support building of diagnostic capacity.
  5. Develop guidance and policy on the development, integration and interpretation of genomic and molecular diagnostics.
  6. Collaborate with a range of stakeholders in the field of clinical microbiology internally (other SGs) and externally.
  7. Promote a growing international community dedicated to new innovative diagnostic approaches (including for instance genomics, molecular diagnosis, metagenomics, machine learning, MALDI-TOF, nanomotion-based tests, antimicrobial susceptibillity testing, carbapenemases detection, ...)

ESGMD welcomes new members from various disciplines (e.g. microbiology, infectious diseases, public health, bioinformatics) interested in supporting and benefitting from its wide range of activities.