Berlin, May 23, 2025 – The German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) has launched a new section: “Digital Competence and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”. The aim is to drive forward the digitalization of laboratory medicine in a targeted manner and to integrate pioneering technologies into training, research and clinical practice.

Berlin, May 7, 2025 – In an interview with MedLabPortal, Jan Wolter, renowned safety expert and representative of the Executive Committee of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL), is cautiously optimistic about the future of laboratory medicine under Friedrich Merz’s new German government. Despite the surprising lack of a chancellor’s majority in the first round of elections in the Bundestag and the absence of the term “laboratory medicine” in the coalition agreement, Wolter trusts in a stable government that values this key sector.

Berlin, March 7, 2025 – In an interview with MedLabPortal(https://medlabportal.de), Jan Wolter, expert on security issues and authorized representative of the Executive Committee of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL), outlined the far-reaching effects of current geopolitical developments on laboratory medicine. From trade conflicts to the need for investment in research and infrastructure, Wolter drew a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities for the sector.

Berlin, January 31, 2025 – In an interview with its President, Prof. Harald Renz, the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) comments on current discussions about the restriction of serum in laboratory medical diagnostics.

Berlin, 10.12.2024 – The German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) today presented a comprehensive national strategy plan that will ensure sustainable laboratory medical care in the event of future pandemics, global crises or possible acts of sabotage.

Berlin / Nümbrecht, 02.10.2024 – The German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) has awarded Professor Dr. Rudolf Valenta from the Medical University of Vienna the prestigious Prize for Biochemical Analysis. The prize, endowed with 50,000 euros and sponsored by the family-owned company SARSTEDT, a leading provider of laboratory and medical technology, recognizes outstanding scientific achievements in the field of biochemical and molecular analysis.

Bremen, September 26, 2024 – The German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) has sharply criticized the planned GOÄ amendment on the occasion of the German Congress for Laboratory Medicine in Bremen. The amendment provides for considerable cuts in the remuneration of laboratory medicine. A model calculation for a university hospital has shown that the amendment would mean losses of more than a quarter in the inpatient sector and as much as 40 percent in the outpatient sector.

Berlin, September 11, 2024 – Germany receives the first information portal operated by a medical society for laboratory medicine. MedLabPortal(www.medlabportal.de) offers daily news as well as a chatbot powered by the latest Large Language Model (LLM) technology from Open AI.

Berlin, April 23, 2024 – On the occasion of today’s World Laboratory Day, the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) is offering to cooperate with Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) in the fight against future pandemics.

Berlin, 17.11.2023 – In the discussion about the expansion of point-of-care diagnostics to pharmacies, the DGKL points out that not all parameters are currently suitable for such use. In particular, the determination of cholesterol levels using POCT is still very error-prone.

Berlin, 24.10.2023 – At this year’s Annual General Meeting, a new Secretary, Prof. Julie Schanz, was elected and the remaining members of the current Executive Committee were confirmed for a further term of office.

Mannheim, October 12, 2023 – At a press conference on the occasion of the German Congress for Laboratory Medicine in Mannheim from October 12 to 13, 2023, representatives of the DGKL discussed new and innovative methods of laboratory medicine and provided exciting insights into promising technologies.

Berlin, 10.03.2023 – The draft bill planned by the BMG to amend the Medical Devices and Dispensing Ordinance (MPAV) provides for the dispensing of combination tests (SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B) to laypersons. This is viewed very critically by the DGKL, partly because the quality of these tests varies greatly.

Berlin, 04.11.2022 – In a joint press release on the European Day of Laboratory Medicine on November 5, 2022, the BDL and the DGKL warn of a worsening shortage of specialists in laboratory medicine and call for more long-term investment to improve training opportunities.

Mannheim, October 12, 2022 – Prize for Biochemical Analytics goes to scientists for the development of the high-resolution lipid profile and for discovering the causes of vaccine-induced cerebral venous thrombosis.

This year’s 50,000 euro prize for biochemical analysis goes to biochemist Prof. Dr. Kai Simons and analytical chemist Dr. Andrej Shevchenko as well as transfusion medicine specialist Prof. Dr. Andreas Greinacher.

Berlin, 23.06.2022 – The right testing strategy for an impending wave of infections in the fall and winter is, in addition to compliance with hygiene measures and vaccinations, the key variable that can be used to control the spread of infections. Automated antigen tests in the laboratory should be used instead of error-prone rapid tests – an instrument that has not yet been used in the German government’s testing strategies to date.

Berlin, 30.05.2022 – In view of the expiring coronavirus test regulation and the expected increase in case numbers in the fall, the DGKL is calling for much greater involvement of scientific expertise. A plan for the fall should be developed before the summer break, including the use of automated antigen tests.

Berlin, May 9, 2022 – The Laboratory Diagnostics Action Day 2022 on May 9 in Berlin was a powerful demonstration of the systemic relevance of German laboratory medicine. In a joint lecture event on World Laboratory Day, the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) and the Professional Association of German Laboratory Doctors (BDL) presented innovations whose significance goes far beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Berlin, 11.03.2022 – In its press release, the DGKL points out that consistent testing remains an important tool for gaining an up-to-date insight into the infection situation. Even in times of imminent easing of restrictions, comprehensive testing can be used to identify new virus variants at an early stage, for example.

Berlin, 11.02.2022 – The DGKL supports the targeted use of PCR tests and at the same time criticizes the fact that many other useful diagnostic tools are not yet being used sufficiently. After two years of pandemic experience, there are now several diagnostic tools that can be used depending on the requirements and situation. These should also be used to their full extent.

Berlin, 12.01.2022 – In its press release, the DGKL points out that the existing testing strategy urgently needs to be optimized in order to be best prepared for the upcoming Omikron wave. Laboratory-based PCR (pool) tests are still the gold standard for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections and should therefore be used much more widely if possible.

The members of the DGKL elected the members of the Executive Committee for the period 2022 to 2023 at the Annual General Meeting on November 8, 2021, which was held digitally for the second time due to the tense pandemic situation.

Press release from November 2021

In this press release, the DGKL points out the relevance of high-quality and correctly performed rapid tests and calls for the widespread and increased use of point-of-care antigen tests in public spaces.
Press release from March 2021

The corona test strategy of the new federal ordinance (link) includes as an essential element the increased use of PoC antigen tests (link) in the general, asymptomatic population. In this context, the DGKL points out the limitations of these tests, reemphasizes the importance of correctly performed sampling and calls for the establishment of a prescribed step-by-step diagnostic procedure.
Press release from October 2020

The DGKL is delighted to announce that Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna have been awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Prof. Charpentier was already honored with the DGKL Prize “Biochemical Analytics” in 2017.

Press release from October 2020

In its press release, the DGKL calls for a closely coordinated approach to the SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy and the determination of quarantine and isolation times. Resources must continue to be used sensibly in order to maintain sufficient laboratory and testing capacities in the upcoming flu season.

Press release from September 2020

In this press release, the DGKL comments on the increasing demand for antibody assays for SARS-CoV-2 and points out the opportunities and risks of this method.

Press release from July 2020

The German Society for Laboratory Medicine (DGKL, medical-scientific society representing laboratory medicine in Germany) expressly and emphatically supports strategies at federal and state level to expand in-vitro diagnostics in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This concerns both acute diagnostics in the context of virus nucleic acid detection (PCR) and the analysis of the immune status after the infection has passed.

Press release from April 2020

The statement of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine on SARS-CoV-2 and the increased need for diagnostic materials.

Press release from March 2020