Contents Introduction
Most experts agree that early detection is a key component to combating many of today's greatest public health threats. Biomolecular markers are present in individuals that suffer from cancer, tuberculosis, HIV / AIDS, hepatitis and malaria even at the earliest stages of development. The primary barrier to early detection is insufficient diagnostic processes. A detection mechanism exhibiting extremely high sensitivity and selectivity is required to identify the telling compounds that could indicate the development of a condition. Moreover, it is critical that such a detection mechanism have a process for minimizing reports of false positives or negatives. Most diagnostic procedures today require immunological lab equipment and trained medical staff to perform the procedures. This is expensive, often to the point of being impracticable, and often there is a significant delay in obtaining results. Current techniques become increasingly unfeasible for many applications that involve screening a large number of patients. The solution to these problems is to employ available technology to make cheaper and more accurate diagnostic equipment that improves and shortens the decision making process while also requiring minimal training or expertise.
