10 Best Infectious Diseases & Molecular Diagnostics Conferences in 2026
The global infectious diseases and molecular diagnostics conference calendar for 2026 reflects the significant shift in the field since the pandemic. Antimicrobial resistance is on course to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The infectious disease diagnostics market is projected to exceed $40 billion by 2028. Whole genome sequencing, AI-assisted diagnostic interpretation, and point-of-care molecular testing have moved from research tools to clinical practice staples. Conferences have followed. Events across the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the UK now routinely combine molecular diagnostics science with AMR stewardship, clinical microbiology, and public health strategy. This guide maps the key global events, who each one serves, and what to expect from the programming. Key Takeaways
- ESCMID Global 2026 (Munich, Apr 17–21) is the world’s largest clinical microbiology and infectious diseases conference, drawing 16,000+ attendees and offering up to 33 CME points.
- Molecular diagnostics — including NGS, PCR, CRISPR-based tools, and AI-assisted platforms — appear as a dedicated track across nearly every major 2026 infectious diseases conference globally.
- Geographic spread matters for who you meet. US events concentrate pharma and regulatory contacts; Asia-Pacific events connect you with regional AMR surveillance networks; European events provide access to ECDC and EU regulatory stakeholders.
- Hybrid formats are now standard at most large conferences, with on-demand CME access available for up to six months after the event at several major events.
10 best infectious diseases & molecular diagnostics conferences — quick overview
| Conference | Dates | Location | Best For |
| ESCMID Global 2026 | Apr 17–21, 2026 | Munich, Germany | Clinical microbiology, ID specialists, diagnostics researchers |
| IDWeek 2026 | Oct 21–24, 2026 | Washington D.C., USA (hybrid) | ID clinicians, hospital epidemiologists, pharmacists, trainees |
| ISAAR 2026 | Jun 12–14, 2026 | Hong Kong | Asia-Pacific AMR and infectious disease researchers |
| Infection 2026 | Jun 25–27, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain (hybrid) | ID specialists, epidemiologists, public health researchers |
| IDAMR 2026 | Jun 25–26, 2026 | London, UK | ID physicians, AMR researchers, health economists |
| GIOH 2026 | Sep 21–23, 2026 | London, UK (hybrid) | ID researchers, genomics, One Health, molecular diagnostics |
| WCID 2026 | Oct 5–7, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan (hybrid) | ID researchers, public health, One Health, surveillance |
| IMARI 2026 | Jan 28–30, 2026 | Las Vegas, USA | AMR drug discovery, clinical microbiologists, policymakers |
| BSAC Spring Conference 2026 | May 14–15, 2026 | London, UK (hybrid) | Infection management, AMR diagnostics, stewardship |
| BSMT 41st Annual Microbiology Conference | May 21, 2026 | London, UK | NHS biomedical scientists, clinical microbiologists |
How This List Was Compiled
- Relevance to molecular diagnostics and infectious diseases: Does the event cover PCR, NGS, whole genome sequencing, point-of-care testing, or pathogen identification?
- Scientific standing: Does the event feature peer-reviewed content or speakers from credentialed institutions?
- Geographic diversity: Does the list serve professionals across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the UK?
- Audience specificity: Does the event serve a clearly defined professional group rather than a generic catchall audience?
- CME or CPD accreditation: Noted where confirmed, as this is a practical decision factor for clinicians and NHS professionals choosing between events
No conference paid for placement. This list was created based on market research and events’ global relevance.
Best infectious diseases & molecular diagnostics conferences 2026
Editor’s pick for the UK: FutureDx Summit 2026
October 27 to 28, 2026 | London, UK Before the global list, one for the UK calendar. FutureDx Summit is the UK’s dedicated conference for infectious disease and molecular diagnostics. Where most events on this list are large and general, FutureDx is deliberately small and senior, built for consultant microbiologists, laboratory directors, and diagnostics teams who want two focused days rather than a sprawling congress. The programme spans clinical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, sepsis diagnostics, and the molecular methods reshaping the field. Dedicated pages cover the microbiology conference and AMR conference tracks in more detail. Best for: NHS lab leaders, consultant microbiologists, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, and diagnostics companies looking for a focused UK event.1. ESCMID Global 2026
April 17–21, 2026 | Messe München, Munich, Germany (hybrid) ESCMID Global is the flagship annual congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — the world’s largest annual clinical microbiology and infectious diseases congress, drawing over 16,000 participants from more than 100 countries. The five-day programme covers the full range of clinical microbiology and infectious disease science through keynote lectures, oral sessions, workshops, symposia, meet-the-expert sessions, and poster presentations. The 2026 edition introduced Education Friday for the first time, adding a dedicated learning day to the programme. Up to 33 CME points are available. All sessions remain available on the virtual platform until October 31, 2026, with CME claimable until October 21, 2026. Best for: Infectious disease physicians, clinical microbiologists, infection control specialists, researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, and laboratory professionals from across Europe and internationally.2. IDWeek 2026
October 21–24, 2026 | Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C., USA (hybrid) IDWeek 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the joint meeting co-organized by IDSA, SHEA, HIVMA, PIDS, and SIDP — the largest annual infectious diseases gathering in the US. Sessions span antimicrobial resistance, healthcare-associated infections, HIV, molecular diagnostics, emerging pathogens, and infection prevention and control. Up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits are available. Pre-meeting workshops include a board review session, an antimicrobial stewardship workshop, and a dedicated program for ID educators. General registration opens June 2, 2026. The IDBugCrawl programme offers medical students and residents a VIP track free of charge. Best for: Clinicians, researchers, public health professionals, ID pharmacists, trainees, and policymakers from across the US and internationally.3. ISAAR 2026
June 12–14, 2026 | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong ISAAR is organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases (APFID), co-organized with the Hong Kong Society for Infectious Diseases and the Hong Kong Society for Microbiology and Infection — the Asia-Pacific’s most authoritative biennial forum on antimicrobial resistance, running under the theme “Fighting the ongoing pandemic of antimicrobial resistance.” Co-chairs from the Mayo Clinic (USA) and Samsung Medical Centre (Korea) guide the scientific programme. APFID also runs the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP) and the Asian Bacterial Bank, making this conference directly connected to the region’s leading AMR surveillance infrastructure. Best for: Microbiologists, infectious disease clinicians, pharma scientists, public health researchers, and policymakers across the Asia-Pacific region.4. Infection 2026 — 10th World Congress on Infectious Diseases
June 25–27, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain (hybrid) A broad-spectrum infectious diseases congress covering bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections under the theme “New Frontiers in Infectious Diseases: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control.” Sessions address emerging pathogens, infection control, molecular diagnostic advances, and therapeutic strategies. The three-day programme includes keynote sessions, oral and poster presentations, and interactive workshops. The hybrid format allows virtual participation for international attendees who cannot travel to Barcelona. Best for: ID specialists, epidemiologists, immunologists, public health researchers, and clinicians across all career stages.5. IDAMR 2026 — 4th World Congress on Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance
June 25–26, 2026 | London, UK IDAMR 2026 covers next-generation antibiotics, molecular diagnostics innovation, AI-driven surveillance, precision antimicrobial therapies, and stewardship program design. The event positions AMR as both a scientific and economic emergency — with the infectious disease diagnostics market projected to exceed $40 billion by 2028 as a framing for the agenda. Sessions bring together clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical innovators, regulators, and policymakers working on evidence-based solutions to AMR. Best for: ID physicians, pharma and biotech researchers, health economists, microbiologists, regulatory professionals, and policymakers.6. GIOH 2026 — Global Infectious Diseases & One Health Conference
September 21–23, 2026 | London, UK (hybrid) GIOH 2026 runs under the theme “From Breakthroughs to Preparedness: The Next Era of Infectious Diseases,” integrating molecular biology, genomics, and AI-driven surveillance within a One Health framework. The CPD-accredited conference covers digital biosurveillance, AI-driven disease prediction, outbreak preparedness, mobile diagnostic devices, and cross-border coordination. The hybrid format enables international participation alongside the London in-person programme. Best for: ID researchers, clinical scientists, veterinarians, public health officials, data scientists, and policymakers working across human, animal, and environmental health.7. WCID 2026 — 10th World Congress on Infectious Diseases & One Health
October 5–7, 2026 | Tokyo, Japan (hybrid) A truly international platform convening researchers, clinicians, public health experts, and policymakers under the theme “From Pathogens to Prevention: Science, Surveillance, and Solutions.” WCID 2026 features keynote addresses from internationally recognized experts, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. Tokyo’s location makes it a natural hub for Asia-Pacific networking, with strong representation from Japanese academic institutions, regional health ministries, and international research organizations. Best for: ID specialists, researchers, epidemiologists, public health professionals, industry representatives, and policymakers from across Asia-Pacific and internationally.8. IMARI 2026
January 28–30, 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA IMARI is the inaugural dedicated forum for antimicrobial resistance drug discovery and translational science, launched jointly by ASM and IDSA. Sessions cover resistance mechanisms, AI-powered molecule design, public-private partnerships, and regulatory pathways for new antimicrobials. Its inaugural 2026 edition positions it as the most specialized AMR event in the US calendar. Best for: Bench scientists, clinical microbiologists, pharma R&D teams, government agencies, and policymakers working on the AMR drug pipeline.9. BSAC Spring Conference 2026
May 14–15, 2026 | QEII Centre, London, UK (hybrid) The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) Spring Conference runs under the theme “Advancing Infection Management: From Global Challenges to Clinical Innovation,” bridging bench science and clinical practice around antimicrobial stewardship and AMR diagnostics. Sessions cover antimicrobial diagnostics, urinary tract sepsis, HAP/VAP, and carbapenem-sparing treatment strategies. The hybrid format makes it accessible globally. Best for: Infectious disease physicians, clinical microbiologists, infection pharmacists, GP researchers, and public health professionals spanning clinicians, scientists, and social scientists working in infection.10. BSMT 41st Annual Microbiology Conference
May 21, 2026 | Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, London, UK The most practically oriented annual UK event for bench microbiologists, with a focus on the current state and future of molecular diagnostics in clinical microbiology labs. The 2026 programme includes “Current state and the potential future for diagnostic microbiology” from Dr Sarah Pitt (University of Brighton), alongside sessions on domestically acquired infections and AMR surveillance. The conference is RCPath-registered; CPD certificates are available on request. Early bird registration from £75. Best for: Senior biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, medical microbiologists, and NHS laboratory professionals running diagnostic microbiology services day-to-day.“Molecular diagnostics is now a standard conference track. NGS, PCR, CRISPR-based tools, and AI-assisted interpretation appear across every major event on this list. The question is no longer whether molecular diagnostics features — it is how deep each conference goes.”
What the 2026 global calendar tells us
- Molecular diagnostics is now a standard conference track. NGS, PCR, CRISPR-based tools, and AI-assisted interpretation appear across every major event on this list, from ESCMID Global to WCID Tokyo.
- AMR science and drug development are converging. IMARI, ISAAR, IDAMR, and BSAC all address the AMR pipeline from different angles: basic science, Asia-Pacific surveillance, clinical economics, and NHS stewardship respectively.
- One Health is no longer a niche framing. GIOH 2026 and WCID 2026 both structure their entire programmes around the human-animal-environment interface, reflecting a broader shift in how infectious disease science is being organized globally.
- On-demand access is extending conference value. ESCMID Global sessions remain available until October 31, 2026. Professionals who cannot attend in person are no longer locked out of the content.
Planning your 2026 global conference calendar
The events above cover infectious diseases and molecular diagnostics professionals across every career stage, geography, and professional role — from bench microbiologists in NHS labs to AMR drug developers in pharma R&D teams. For a UK-focused option closer to home, the FutureDx infectious disease conference in London covers the same ground across two focused days, and delegates specialising in resistance may prefer the dedicated AMR conference track. A practical approach: the first half of 2026 is front-loaded with specialist events. IMARI (January) and ESCMID Global (April) anchor the early calendar with AMR drug science and broad clinical microbiology content respectively. ISAAR (June) and Infection 2026 (June) then bring Asia-Pacific AMR surveillance and broad infectious disease science together in the same month. The second half consolidates with IDWeek (October) offering the deepest US clinical infectious diseases programming of the year, followed by WCID Tokyo (October) for Asia-Pacific researchers. Check each conference’s official website for registration deadlines, CME or CPD accreditation details, and abstract submission windows. FAQs
1. Which 2026 global conference offers the most CME points for infectious diseases and clinical microbiology professionals? ESCMID Global 2026 (Munich, Apr 17–21) offers up to 33 CME points for attending scientific sessions, either onsite or via on-demand replay on the virtual platform until October 2026. 2. Which 2026 conferences focus specifically on molecular diagnostics techniques like NGS, PCR, and AI-assisted interpretation? ESCMID Global, GIOH 2026, Infection 2026, and BSMT all include dedicated molecular diagnostics tracks covering NGS applications, PCR platforms, CRISPR-based tools, and AI-assisted diagnostic interpretation. 3. Which conferences on this list are the best fit for Asia-Pacific infectious disease and AMR researchers? ISAAR 2026 (Hong Kong, Jun 12–14) and WCID 2026 (Tokyo, Oct 5–7) are the primary Asia-Pacific events. ISAAR is the more AMR-specific of the two; WCID covers the broader infectious diseases and One Health landscape. 4. Are there 2026 conferences that combine AMR drug development with regulatory and policy perspectives? IMARI 2026 (Las Vegas, Jan 28–30) and IDAMR 2026 (London, Jun 25–26) both combine AMR science with drug development, regulatory pathways, and policy discussions. BSAC Spring Conference (London, May 14–15) adds a clinical stewardship lens to the same intersection. 5. How do society-run infectious diseases conferences differ from commercially organized events in terms of programming quality? Society-run events (ESCMID, IDSA/IDWeek, BSAC, BSMT, APFID/ISAAR) typically feature peer-reviewed content, independent scientific programme committees, and programming tied directly to membership professional development needs. Commercially organized events often offer broader access and more flexible abstract submission criteria, which can suit early-career researchers and industry professionals seeking presentation opportunities.