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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for early detection, especially before treatments or vaccines become available. Rapid point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics and networked detection systems are essential for patient management and transmission control. To better prepare for future pandemics, it is crucial to establish global diagnostic surveillance networks during non-pandemic periods.
Ebola outbreaks in Africa have demonstrated the urgent need to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited regions. The Ebola virus (EBOV) is highly infectious and causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Due to its high fatality rate and potential for rapid transmission, global efforts must prioritize its containment.
Lessons from the 2014–16 West Africa outbreak and recent cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo underscore the importance of early diagnosis, mitigation strategies, and improved healthcare infrastructure. Rapid response, community-based surveillance, and trust-building with local healthcare workers are critical to controlling outbreaks.
Traditional laboratory diagnostics, such as RT-PCR, are resource-intensive and time-consuming, causing delays in patient management and outbreak control. This is especially problematic in large-scale epidemics and low-income regions.
Point-of-care (PoC) tests, including rapid antigen detection, have proven valuable for early diagnosis in remote areas. Investing in research and development of innovative diagnostic tools is essential for improving outbreak preparedness and response.
Emerging diagnostic technologies, particularly semiconductor and graphene-based platforms, are revolutionizing disease detection. These systems enable fast and precise identification of infections, allowing for timely isolation, treatment, and prevention measures.
The EPoCA project aims to develop, clinically validate, and deploy a multiplexed graphene-based biosensing platform using BioGFET technology (graphene field-effect transistors functionalized with biomolecules).
This cutting-edge approach enables fast and differential diagnosis of infectious diseases.In addition, the project integrates an AI-powered cloud network that processes and shares real-time epidemiological data.
By leveraging AI, this system enhances diagnostic accuracy, detects emerging health threats, and facilitates coordinated responses across global healthcare networks.
Through the combination of rapid biosensing, AI-driven analysis, and real-time data sharing, EPoCA offers a flexible and adaptive solution for pandemic preparedness. By harnessing advanced technology, the project empowers healthcare systems to anticipate, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks more effectively, ultimately minimizing their impact on global health.
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