Rapid evolution of technologies holds out much promise.

Molecular diagnostics comprises a rapidly evolving range of assays for the detection and analysis of nucleic acid sequences and proteins. These enable the detection of pathogens, estimation of viral loads; help with the selection of antibiotic and antiviral therapies, diagnosis of cancer and other diseases and offer prognostic assessments as well as assistance with treatment selection and drug treatment efficacy monitoring. Inappropriate use of molecular technologies is also leading to serious issues with the clinical relevance of many molecular biomarkers in use today. There is an urgent need for standardisation of assay designs, laboratory practices, measurement methods and data management.