Current donor screening is hampered by limitations in the number of licensed tests, blood volume used in testing, variations in pathogens or antigen targets and the cost associated with each new test. The recent advances in nucleic acid sequencing, genome-wide transcription profiling and molecular methods in discovery of novel pathogens when combined with the emerging multiplex platforms would allow the simultaneous detection of several pathogens in a high throughput format. The number of pathogens or antigen targets that can be detected as a part of a routine donor screening program may no longer be a limiting factor. The goal of the session is to discuss the suitability and readiness of the next generation nucleic acid-based and protein-based testing technologies applied on multiplex platforms for application as the donor testing of the future.