This 12-part course provides an introduction to molecular biology and an explanation of molecular diagnostic methods as they are used and encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Participants will learn the basic nucleic acid chemistries and molecular amplification technologies and will gain knowledge of different topics related to molecular diagnostic testing. Specifically, the course will address issues related to starting a molecular diagnostic laboratory; selecting reagents and instruments for nucleic acid isolation, amplification and detection; developing and/or implementing molecular assays; validating and verifying assay performance; performing quality control; and applying molecular tests to the detection of various microbial pathogens of clinical importance. The course will end by highlighting the many technological advances in the field.

For more information,  go the ASM website:   Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Disease Course