| Summary: | Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has the potential to dramatically revolutionize the clinical microbiology laboratory by replacing current time-consuming and labor-intensive techniques with a single, all-inclusive diagnostic test. Traditional methods for identifying organisms such as mycobacteria, some bacterial species, and fungi in particular are often slow, specialized, and organism specific. The American Academy of Microbiology convened a colloquium in April 2015 to discuss a series of questions developed by the steering committee regarding the use of next-generation sequencing for faster detection and identification of clinical pathogens. This report reviews the current progress of NGS technologies, how they are bridging the divide between microbial research and the practice of diagnostic microbiology, and how these technologies may well become the cornerstone of clinical care
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