Advances in gene editing and transplant immunology have transformed xenotransplantation from a long-standing scientific goal into an emerging clinical reality. Building on decades of preclinical research using gene-edited pig donors in nonhuman primates, early pig-to-human transplant procedures have demonstrated the potential of xenotransplantation to expand access to life-saving organs. At the same time, this novel approach introduces unique challenges, including antibody-mediated rejection and infectious disease risks associated with cross-species transplantation. This webinar will explore the virologic and diagnostic challenges of xenotransplantation, highlighting current approaches to donor screening, pathogen surveillance, recipient monitoring, and the critical role of diagnostic laboratories in detecting both conventional post-transplant infections and potential zoonotic porcine pathogens.

Moderator:
Meghan Starolis, PhD, Senior Science Director, Quest Diagnostics, Chantilly, VA

Speaker:
Heba Mostafa, MD, PhD, Director, Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Rapid molecular respiratory virus testing is increasingly available in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and hospitals, promising faster diagnoses and more timely clinical decision-making. But does rapid testing improve patient care, and under what circumstances does it provide meaningful clinical value? Join the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology (PASCV) and the Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CACMID) for an engaging webinar exploring the evidence behind rapid respiratory virus testing and its real-world impact on patient care. The session will feature a presentation by Dr. Andrew C. Meltzer, whose research has examined the clinical impact of point-of-care multiplex respiratory virus PCR testing in emergency department settings. Dr. Meltzer will discuss how clinical impact can be measured, what current evidence reveals about the benefits and limitations of rapid respiratory virus testing, and key factors organizations should consider when evaluating implementation of these technologies. Following the presentation, a multidisciplinary panel discussion with Dr. Omai Garner and Dr. Marek Smieja will explore practical questions surrounding diagnostic stewardship, operational challenges, quality management, reimbursement, and variations in practice across North America.

Moderators:
Jessica Forbes, PhD, FCCM, D(ABBM), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Hannah Wang, MD, D(ABBM), Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Speaker:
Andrew C. Meltzer, MD, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC

Panelists:
Omai Garner, PhD, D(ABMM), UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
Marek Smieja, MD, PhD, FRCPC, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Join us for a fast-paced, engaging webinar spotlighting the year’s most influential research in the field of virology. Our expert speakers will examine groundbreaking publications that advanced diagnostics, described new viral threats, and made the biggest impact in the field. Whether you are preparing your laboratory for emerging viral threats, staying current with advancements in diagnostic medicine, or seeking a high-level summary of what’s new in virology, this webinar will deliver timely and practical insights. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the discoveries shaping modern clinical virology and a clearer perspective on how these developments may influence patient outcomes, laboratory medicine, and global infectious diseases in the years ahead.

Moderator:
Meghan Starolis, PhD, Quest Diagnostics, Chantilly, VA

Panelists:
Jennifer Bosquez, PhD, Northwell Health Laboratories, Queens, NY
Tim Xue, PhD, Sanford Health - Fargo, Fargo, ND