Infectious diseases are a major burden to public health and the global economy, not in the least due to antimicrobial
resistance. Rapid point of care (POC) in vitro diagnostics (IVD) are key tools in the effective clinical management of patients
with infectious diseases. Yet there is still a large unmet clinical need for more rapid POC IVDs generating more clinically
relevant, actionable information. Effectively addressing this need requires a change in the current approach in training
researchers on IVDs, generating a new ‘breed’ of IVD researchers capable of closing the gap between the clinical and
technological perspective. ND4ID takes up this challenge by offering 15 ESRs a world-class first of its kind training
programme where they will be exposed to the full breadth of disciplines spanning clinical, technological and market-oriented
viewpoints, from both the academic and non-academic sector. Through a set of synergistic research projects on novel POC
assays, targeting the most important and urgent clinical needs at world leading academic or private sector research groups,
the ESRs are offered a holistic training program, preparing them to be lead players in the future IVD field. This training
through research is augmented by a unique comprehensive network-wide training programme covering clinical, technical
and translational knowledge and skills of relevance to IVD research, development and exploitation. As such, ND4ID will
deliver ESRs that will be in high demand serving as an example for other academic and non-academic actors active in
training IVD researchers and further strengthening Europe’s position in the internally competitive arena of IVD technology.
