b'ConclusionMDx has become indispensable in the clinical environment.Many qPCR-based assays are scalable to support higher Physicians can now choose from an ever-growing test menu, withthroughput testing during peak times, while multiplexing options testing performed at clinical laboratories using a wide variety ofsupport syndromic testing.platforms. Realizing that patients are molecularly unique, MDx isMDx has transformed medicine since its development a few critical for personalized, tailored treatments. While NGS is widelydecades ago (Figure 2). These days, physicians can use MDx used to detect and characterize new pathogens and emergingto quickly identify disease-causing organisms and molecular mutations in the field of clinical microbiology, oncology-focusedvariations in cancer genomes to make more effective treatment NGS solutions are crucial in the diagnostic world and offereddecisions. Compared to more traditional clinical methodologies, by many CLIA-certified laboratories. Meanwhile, NAATs suchmolecular diagnostic testing can result in faster turnaround times, as PCR or isothermal amplification offer reliable and sensitivehigher sensitivity, and higher specificity, and has the potential to detection of known pathogens or disease biomarkers. They haveultimately reduce costs and save lives.faster turnaround times and lower price-points than sequencing. 1986 2008FDA approves theFirst multiplex rst nucleic acidMid-1990s 1999 2003 panel for 1977 test (DNA probeSecondKinzler andCompletion ofsyndromicMid-2010sFrederic Sanger targetinggeneration ofVogelsteinthe HumantestingFourth develops Sanger LegionnairessequencingpublishedGenome approved bygeneration of sequencing disease) (NGS) Digital PCR Project the FDA sequencing1983 Early 1990 1999 20082009 2011Kary MullisReal-time PCRFirst humanThirdDigital invents the(qPCR) chromosomegeneration ofdroplet polymeraseis sequenced sequencing PCR chain reaction(ddPCR)(PCR)Figure 2. Timeline of selected PCR and sequencing milestones.Peter Friebe, PhDDr. Peter Friebe is a senior manager for Clinical Application and Marketing Support at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has over 20 years of research experience and brings extensive knowledge in the fields of molecular diagnostic device development and support. Dr. Friebe started his career in R&D and developed devices in the fields of infectious diseases and companion diagnostics. Since then, he has lead teams responsible for application, customer, and marketing support. Dr. Friebe received his PhD in virology and molecular biology from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.6 Molecular testing thermofisher.com/infectiousdisease Contents'