Confocal Working Group

The international Confocal Group (ICG) was founded in February 2008 in San Antonio Texas with the aim to promote collaborative research, education and innovation in the field of confocal microscopy and other innovative microscopic technologies in medicine.

Comprising a diverse community of medical professionals and scientists, the ICG embodies a spirit of collaboration and global networking across all continents.

The International Confocal Group (ICG) serves as a vital nexus between academia and industry, dedicated to fostering the practical application of cutting-edge clinical imaging technologies.

Through initiatives spanning reflectance confocal microscopy, fluorescence confocal microscopy (ex-vivo), lineal confocal-OCT, OCT, confocal and multiphoton microscopy, high magnification videodermatoscopy, fluorescence videodermatoscopy, and beyond, the ICG strives to advance both the methodologies and the integration of artificial intelligence in microscopy imaging technologies.

The realization of these goals is made possible through the unwavering support of the ICG community, which is bolstered by the organization’s congresses, generous philanthropic contributions from sponsors and partners, and the invaluable in-kind support offered by its members.

Together, these collaborative efforts ensure that the ICG remains at the forefront of innovation, driving progress and excellence in the realm of microscopic imaging for the improvement of healthcare worldwide.

In 2024, the International Confocal Group (ICG) and the International Dermoscopy Society (IDS) established a collaborative partnership to advance education, research, and innovation in non-invasive imaging techniques. This collaboration aims to enhance knowledge sharing, foster scientific advancements, and promote best practices among the global dermatology and imaging community.

Through this initiative, ICG and IDS will work together to support technological developments, clinical applications, and educational programs, ensuring that non-invasive imaging techniques continue to evolve and benefit dermatologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide.

ICG collaborates with International and National groups and Scientific Societies worldwide and organises the World Congress of Confocal Microscopy and participates in conferences and workshops at the most prestigious medical congresses including the World Congress of the International Dermoscopy Society (IDS), European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), European association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), World Congress of the International Teledermatology Society ( ITS) and the CILAD Congress among others.

Liaison with other Societies and Groups

CIERG Group. Alexander Witkowski

International Dermoscopy Society (IDS). Caterina Longo

International Skin Imaging Society (ISIC). Josep Malvehy

International Teledermatology Society. Paola Pasquali

DICOM Dermatology Group (WG-19). Liam Caffery

CILAD. Christian Navarrete-Dechent

Collaboration with other societies and communities

ICG is a collaboration between academic centers and companies from around the world which is supported by income from congresses, research grants, philanthropy, and in-kind support from its members.

The core ICG team is comprised of clinicians, clinical researchers, engineers, and computer scientists from the industry and academia.

Several professional societies have partnered with ICG, including the International Dermoscopy Society (IDS), the International Society of Teledermatology and the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC).

Individual facets of the project are addressed by Working Groups comprised of Key Opinion Leaders in the field and led by recognized experts. An oversight panel composed of the working group leaders serves to review and advise on the priorities, methods, and progress of the individual research teams and the collaboration as a whole. Working Groups in confocal microscopy and related microscopic innovative imaging technologies include basic research, clinical research, education, techniques, terminology, DICOM Standards, and artificial intelligence.