Diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches are complex and evolving rapidly. Global and interdisciplinary networking is crucial to scientific and medical progress for the benefit of all patients. To learn through reciprocal visits from two of America's largest diagnostic institutions how they are meeting the challenges of increasing sample volumes, current developments in national and international healthcare systems and technological hurdles, our Management Board and four employees traveled to the USA in May.

"For us, it is of great importance that our research benefits patients - maybe not tomorrow, but sooner rather than later. International and interdisciplinary networking is essential in order to stay abreast of the latest findings, exchange ideas on open questions and inspire each other for future projects," explains MLL Managing Director Prof. Claudia Haferlach.

During their stay at ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City, Utah, the experts discussed the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, genome research and flow cytometry in particular. The structures they visited provided insight into the organization and logistics of sample receipt, which is characterized by long, conveyor-like systems.

The MLL delegation then traveled to Rochester, Minnesota, to visit the Mayo Clinic and its laboratories. Here, too, the travelers were able to engage in in-depth discussions with local medical and research professionals and gain insight into their work, from sample delivery to final results.

"With a view to the successful further development of the MLL, we also gained interesting insights into the organization and logistics of such large diagnostic laboratories," explains MLL Managing Director Prof. Wolfgang Kern. "The total number of hematology samples received by the two US laboratories is very similar to those at the MLL. This gave us the opportunity to discuss methods and procedures on an equal footing and to advise each other," adds MLL Managing Director Prof. Torsten Haferlach.

"It was actually surprising for us to realize that the hematological sample numbers are so comparable after all. This makes it all the more gratifying to see that our methods and processes at MLL are in no way inferior to those of the larger U.S. laboratories in terms of quality and efficiency - a course we intend to maintain in the future," Prof. Haferlach continued.

The MLL team was particularly pleased to see that in both, Salt Lake City and Rochester, Metasystems' AI tools for normal chromosome classification are used, in the development of which we have been instrumental with our data and our team.

We would like to thank our fellow travelers from MLL and all involved in the US for the warm welcome, valuable insights and exciting discussions - and look forward to potential joint projects.