Nanotechnology-Based Diagnostics for Diseases Prevalent in Developing Countries: Current Advances in Point-of-Care...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Point-of-care testing (POCT) enables medical tests near the patient, overcoming limitations of traditional lab-based testing.
• Developing countries with limited infrastructure particularly benefit from decentralized testing solutions.
• Nanotechnology has been instrumental in developing accurate, cost-effective, and user-friendly POCT devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss recent advancements in nanotechnology-enabled POCT devices.
• To highlight the role of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies in POCT.
• To address challenges and future trends in POCT development.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent developments in nanotechnology-based POCT.
• Focus on microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies for bioassays.
• Analysis of challenges and future directions in the field.

Main Results:

• Nanotechnology has enabled the development of feasible POCT devices by masking complexity.
• Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies are key drivers for POCT, especially in infectious disease diagnosis.
• POCT offers significant benefits for early detection and management of chronic conditions and infectious diseases.

Conclusions:

• Nanotechnology-driven POCT significantly enhances diagnostic capabilities, particularly in resource-limited settings.
• Microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip innovations are crucial for advancing POCT for infectious diseases.
• The future of POCT holds promise for improved global health outcomes through accessible and rapid diagnostics.