A route to clinical fungal pathogen sequencing
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Rapidly identifying fungal pathogens remains one of the most critical bottlenecks in clinical microbiology, with some culture-based methods taking weeks to deliver answers. Join us for a practical discussion of sequencing-based approaches for fungal pathogen characterisation. This webinar will cover whole-genome isolate Oxford Nanopore sequencing for high-resolution strain typing and outbreak investigation, as well as targeted internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing for fungal identification and typing directly from samples, without the need for culturing. The speakers will share their clinical research workflow considerations, validation data, and implementation insights using nanopore sequencing and BugSeq analysis.
The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A session, providing an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.
PLEASE NOTE: This webinar will be offered in two timezones. Please select your preferred option on the form below.
Learning objectives:
Learn how Oxford Nanopore sequencing and BugSeq support fungal pathogen analysis.
Discover the potential future clinical applications of ITS and whole-genome sequencing for fungal pathogen identification and typing.
Find out about the advantages of targeted ITS and whole-genome sequencing approaches for potential clinical and epidemiological use.
Identify key considerations for implementing and validating sequencing workflows in the clinical laboratory.
This is independent, investigator-led research using Oxford Nanopore technology. Oxford Nanopore products are for research use only, and not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Meet the speakers
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Anna Maria Niewiadomska, Associate Director, Segment Marketing - Micro & Infectious Disease , Oxford Nanopore TechnologiesWith over 15 years in the field of microbiology, Anna Maria Niewiadomska combines a deep knowledge of experimental and in silico methods for the generation and analysis of genomic and bioinformatic data, with wide-ranging experience in scientific communication and outreach.
Dr Niewiadomska has worked on multiple projects focusing on innate immunology, host/virus interactions, viral phylogenetics, mathematical modeling of antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious disease outbreaks. More recently, she has worked on pandemic response to multiple viral outbreaks such as SARS-CoV-2 and Mpox virus, and collaborated with the SAVE and SPHERES consortia to identify emerging SARS-CoV-2 viral variants of concern.
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Jozef Dingemans, Molecular Biologist, Jessa HospitalDr Jozef Fingemans started his journey as a molecular biologist approximately 11 years ago, when he obtained his PhD in Bio-engineering Sciences in the Microbiology research group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Further experiences as a post-doc in the Binghamton Biofilms Research Group at Binghamton University and as a Medical Molecular Microbiologist in training at the Maastricht University Medical Center allowed him to become an expert in the field of Medical Microbiology. Currently he is appointed as a molecular biologist in the Jessa hospital where he is responsible for the validation and clinical implementation of molecular diagnostic tests, including next-generation sequencing assays.
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Otto Van de gaer, Microbiologist, Jessa HospitalDr Otto Van de gaer was trained as a clinical biologist with focus on medical microbiology at the University of Leuven. Since graduating in 2024 he is employed as a fellow at Jessa Hospital. His main domains of interest are molecular microbiology, infection prevention control, mycology and susceptibility testing.
Caroline Simmons-Williams, Clinical Scientist, Tampa General Hospital
Dr Caroline Simmons-Williams is a Clinical Scientist in the Esoteric Research and Testing Department at Tampa General Hospital. She earned her PhD from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, where she studied malaria parasite drug responses using next generation sequencing. At Tampa General, she utilises short- and long-read sequencing technologies to support infection prevention, surveillance, and outbreak investigations, and has helped advance strain typing and molecular diagnostic capabilities. Dr Simmons-Williams is also a dedicated mentor to undergraduate and graduate trainees and is a member of both the American Society for Microbiology and the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
