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The global CLINICAL24 conversation

Letter from the managing editor

1 Oct 2025
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead
Sonia Nicholas, Managing Editor, SelectScience

Sonia Nicholas, Managing Editor, SelectScience

Editorial article

A year has passed since SelectScience® hosted its first ever ’24 Hours in Clinical’ global conversation. During those three months, we reached an astonishing 1.6 MILLION laboratory scientists and healthcare professionals, in over 170 different countries. By speaking to industry experts, societies, institutes and our own SelectScience members, we learned so much about the challenges facing clinical laboratories currently.

Some of the challenges didn’t surprise me, I expected to hear that staffing shortages and budget constraints were a big issue. Perhaps more insightful was the influx of information we received on just how difficult labs are finding it to implement new technologies, train new staff and manage staff burnout. Plus, we uncovered a significant shared concern that laboratories have around the rapidly changing use and application of AI and machine learning – a challenge that has evolved considerably over the last 12 months.

What I really wasn’t expecting was how much accordance there was globally on these issues. Labs in locations such as Ghana, Belgium, USA and the UK had the same story. It really doesn’t seem to matter where in the world these scientists and healthcare professionals are based, labs are all experiencing similar challenges.

Now more than ever, I believe that we need to communicate, collaborate and innovate. So that together, we can achieve our shared goal of advancing healthcare, accelerating science and ultimately, improving patient care

 

This year, our focus is very much on exploring the technology solutions that will help clinical laboratories solve these logistical challenges, as well as more specific challenges around particular technology developments and disease states. The industry is facing unprecedented times, and we simply couldn’t have predicted even at the beginning of this year just how challenging delivering the diagnostic service would become, or how much change the world of clinical research would experience.

Our editorial team has travelled the world this year attending conferences, visiting laboratories and interviewing the experts working at the very forefront of clinical laboratory science. Our themes this year have been carefully chosen to represent the topics we see most questions, interest and concern around. We hope that you enjoy exploring and learning with us over the next three months.

Now more than ever, I believe that we need to communicate, collaborate and innovate. So that together, we can achieve our shared goal of advancing healthcare, accelerating science and ultimately, improving patient care.

Explore CLINICAL24 2025 here.

Have a story to tell? Email me at editor@selectscience.net.

Tags

Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.Blood TransfusionBlood Transfusion involves giving donor blood to a recipient patient. Screening is essential to avoid transfusion reactions. Blood banks use immunohematological techniques to determine rh and ABO blood group, and screen for antibodies using specific antisera. Blood Banks use Direct Coombs Tests (DCT) and Indirect Coombs Tests (IAT) to detect hemolysis and Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN).CLINICAL24CLINICAL24 is a global conversation, hosted by SelectScience for the medical laboratory profession and all those that support it. The purpose of CLINICAL24 is to highlight current lab challenges, and to explore the technology solutions to overcome them.

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