The role of exhaled particles in disease transmission & diagnostics
The SARS-CoV-2 virus took many by surprise. One of the reasons is that we had insufficient insight into how the virus is transmitted via exhaled particles that become airborne.
How can we better prepare for the future? Can we develop new tools for understanding and monitoring airborne viral transmission more thoroughly? And could these new tools also be used for screening and diagnostic purposes, not only for SARS-CoV-2, but also other respiratory pathogens such as tuberculosis and RSV?
On Tuesday, March 8, from 5 to 7 PM CET, imec will host a 2-hour scientific conference on the importance of exhaled particles in respiratory infectious disease transmission and management. Since cross-collaboration between these domains will bring true innovation for diagnostics, several renowned speakers from the medical and engineering world will discuss the topic, including Donald Milton (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health), Jose-luis Jimenez (Professor of Chemistry and a Fellow of CIRES, University of Colorado at Boulder.),Morten Ruhwald (Head of the tuberculosis program at FIND), Michael Masterman-Smith (Portfolio Executive at Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) COVID-19 Response Program, NIH), and Bert Verbruggen (IVD Program Manager at imec).
Who should attend the conference?
This mini conference is intended for:
Academics, Researchers & Clinicians with an interest in disease transmission
Policy makers who want to be prepared for (future) pandemics
Diagnostic companies with an interest in diagnostics through exhaled particles