A handheld diagnostic lab offers a point-of-care solution for future pandemics. The device, which is about the size of a smartphone, can rapidly test for a range of infectious diseases, including influenza, Ebola, and Zika.
The device, called the Miniature Point-of-Care Diagnostics (M-PODD) platform, was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It uses a technology called “lateral flow” to test for the presence of disease-causing particles in a small sample of blood, saliva, or other body fluid.
The M-PODD platform is highly sensitive and can detect extremely low levels of infectious particles. It can also be used to test for multiple diseases at the same time.
The device is powered by a battery, and the results of the tests are displayed on a small screen. The M-PODD platform is currently being trialed in a number of clinical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices.
If successful, the M-PODD platform could be a valuable tool for identifying and responding to future pandemics. It could also be used to screen for other diseases, such as cancer.
In an effort to be better prepared for future pandemics, a new handheld diagnostic lab has been developed that offers a point-of-care solution. The lab, called the MiniPCR, can be used to quickly test for a variety of infectious diseases.
The idea for the MiniPCR came about during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Researchers realized that there was a need for a portable diagnostic tool that could be used in the field. The MiniPCR was developed by a team of engineers and biologists from Harvard University and the University of California, San Francisco.
The MiniPCR is about the size of a toaster and weighs less than 10 pounds. It runs on battery power and can be used without a power source. The lab can be used to test for a variety of infectious diseases, including Ebola, Zika, and Influenza. It can also be used to test for multiple strains of a virus at the same time.
The MiniPCR is not yet commercially available, but the team is working on making it available to health care workers in the field. They are also working on making the lab cheaper and more user-friendly. The goal is to make the MiniPCR available to anyone, anywhere in the world.
