10 Tech Advances That Can Change Medicine

Lab in Your Pocket

The point-of-care ability to rapidly and inexpensively diagnose a significant number of infectious diseases is remarkable. The list now includes HIV, human papillomavirus, influenza, and group A streptococcus, with many more in progress.^[5]

The mobile device platform that is increasingly being used makes this highly attractive for remote areas. Recently, Imperial College announced a disposable USB memory stick that can accurately determine HIV viral levels from a drop of blood. And "ubiquitous sequencing"—the ability to sequence a pathogen rapidly from a body fluid specimen—holds the promise of revolutionizing our approach to infectious disease diagnosis in the years ahead.

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Cite this: Eric J. Topol. 10 Tech Advances That Can Change Medicine - Medscape - Dec 16, 2016.