Next Generation Sequencing Work Group (NGSWG)

Posted November 14, 2012

Reports to: Transformation Program Office Steering Committee

Charge: To identify, refine and recommend laboratory standards for the analytical and bioinformatics workflow for clinical tests using next generation sequencing. These recommendations will be submitted to the Laboratory Accreditation Program at CAP for consideration of checklist inclusion for NGS. The workgroup will also recommend proficiency testing protocols, reference materials and product development.

Time Commitment

Number of face-to-face meetings: Up to 3 per year
Length of each meeting: 1 – 1½ days
Typical meeting pattern: Friday and/or Saturday

Location of meetings: TBD

Number of conference calls: 20–24 per year. Workgroups will have additional calls.

Hours of committee work required outside of meetings:
Member: 3 + hours per month of outside work required (on average)
Chair: 5 + hours per month, plus some additional travel to CAP meetings.

Additional travel or time commitments: Members are encouraged to attend the CAP’s Annual Meeting.

Projects within the Work Group

• Development of checklists requirements for NGS as a clinical test and in discipline specific areas, e.g., cancer, infectious disease, maternal screening
• Development of proficiency tests for NGS
• Address other pertinent issues that arise in NGS clinical testing
• The pathologist’s role in genomic medicine

Activities of Work Group

• Increase CAP’s leadership role in genomic medicine Publish articles that highlight specific ways that pathology and CAP enhance quality of patient care using NGS as a clinical test

Expertise or Experience Required

• Committee members should possess deep understanding and hands on experience in molecular pathology and next generation sequencing and its impact on clinical care.

Benefits to membership on this committee

• Opportunity to engage with pathologists and laboratorians with deep knowledge of cutting edge clinical diagnostics
• Opportunity to publish white papers and articles
• Opportunity to speak at education events
• Opportunity to be involved in developing guidelines, standards and proficiency testing for a disruptive technology in diagnostic medicine

Representation on committee beyond the CAP:

None

Work Group Structure:

• The Work Group consists of 14 members:
  • A chair who is a member of the CAP appointed by the TPOSC Chair
  • 10-11 CAP members with expertise listed in one or more disciplines listed above
  • • Representative members appointed from the American College of Medical Genetics and genomics and the Association of Molecular Pathology
  • 2-3 CAP staff with expertise listed in one or more disciplines listed above