The Wadsworth Center’s tuberculosis (TB) testing program for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is among the leading diagnostic programs in the United States and is internationally recognized for its scientific excellence and public health impact. Senior scientists from the program are regularly invited to participate in major international meetings, reflecting its global leadership in TB diagnostics and surveillance. This year, the Wadsworth Center was represented at the Union World Conference on Lung Health, the world’s largest global forum dedicated to tuberculosis, lung health, and infectious diseases. The conference – held November 18-21, 2025, in Copenhagen, Denmark – brings together leading researchers, policymakers, clinicians, public health professionals, civil society organizations, and individuals affected by TB to advance global progress against the disease.
Wadsworth Center attendees included senior scientists Dr. Kimberlee Musser and Dr. Vincent Escuyer, who were invited to present innovative research on cutting-edge data visualization dashboards developed at the Wadsworth Center. These tools integrate next-generation sequencing (NGS) analyses, comprehensive laboratory test results, and patient demographic data for M. tuberculosis. The dashboards enable the rapid indentification of TB clusters and outbreaks, detect areas with drug-resistant TB, and support epidemiologists in developing timely and targeted public health control strategies in response to the recent increase in TB cases.
The Wadsworth Center has developed multiple clinical NGS assays for M. tuberculosis and was the first laboratory in the United States to deploy genome sequencing for drug-resistance testing. These molecular assays enhance patient care and public health response for New York State residents. They result in improved patient management, reduced transmission of drug-resistant TB, and lower long-term costs associated with TB monitoring and control.
In-person participation at the conference enabled Wadsworth scientists to engage with experts from major clinical and academic institutions worldwide, exchange insights on next-generation sequencing and assay validation, and learn about emerging diagnostic technologies and clinical products. These interactions are essential to maintaining state-of-the-art TB testing capacity. The meeting also strengthened international collaborations and fostered relationships with diagnostic manufacturers supporting TB detection.
Overall, Wadsworth Center’s participation in the Union World Conference on Lung Health advanced New York State’s tuberculosis surveillance and control efforts, supported professional development, strengthened global partnerships, and reinforced the Center’s position as a leader in comprehensive, cutting-edge TB diagnostics.