Transforming healthcare: Point-of-care diagnostics and testing for the future

In a study published today in Biofunctional Materials, Prof. Dr. Haidar, Founder and CEO of BioMAT’X I+D+I LABs in Santiago, Chile, explores a new era in healthcare diagnostics driven by groundbreaking advancements in point-of-care (PoC) testing, artificial intelligence (AI), and research and development (R&D). These technologies are revolutionizing the way diseases are diagnosed and treated, particularly in dentistry, medicine, and surgery.

Revolutionizing Healthcare: How Point-of-Care Testing Is Changing the Future of Diagnostics

In today’s fast-paced world, access to quick and accurate medical information is more important than ever. Point-of-Care Diagnostics (PoC-D) and Point-of-Care Testing (PoC-T) are helping to make this possible, bringing medical testing directly to the patient, wherever they are. Whether in a clinic, at home, or in remote areas, these innovative technologies are transforming healthcare.

The Shift Towards Point-of-Care Testing

Point-of-care diagnostics are becoming an essential tool in clinical practices. These innovative technologies, which allow for on-site and real-time testing, are paving the way for faster, more accurate, and more accessible diagnostic solutions. A key area of focus is the development of PoC devices for use in dental practices, where rapid detection of systemic conditions and oral diseases is essential for effective treatment planning. By reducing the need for patients to visit labs or specialized testing centers, PoC technologies empower healthcare providers to make timely decisions and offer better outcomes.

What Are PoC-D and PoC-T?

Point-of-Care Diagnostics (PoC-D) and Point-of-Care Testing (PoC-T) are terms that often go hand in hand but refer to slightly different aspects of healthcare. PoC-D focuses on the systems and technologies that allow for disease detection near the patient, while PoC-T refers to the actual tests performed to quickly get results outside of a traditional laboratory setting. Together, they empower doctors, nurses, and even patients to make decisions faster, improving care and outcomes.

Why Are These Technologies a Game Changer?

The innovations in PoC technologies are making a big impact in healthcare:

• Lab-on-a-Chip: Tiny devices that perform complex tests using just a small sample.
• Microfluidics and Nano-biosensors: Cutting-edge tools that can detect disease biomarkers with incredible accuracy.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is enhancing diagnostics by predicting diseases, analyzing data in real time, and personalizing treatments.

These advancements are opening doors to faster, more accurate, and reliable diagnoses. Ongoing research is integrating AI with Point-of-Care platforms to help discover new, disease-specific biomarkers that could change the way we understand and treat diseases. This could mean better detection, monitoring, and even predicting disease outcomes in fields like dentistry, oral health, and general medicine.

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful reminder of the importance of fast, reliable diagnostics in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. PoC testing technologies, such as rapid antigen tests and saliva-based kits, played a pivotal role in monitoring outbreaks and offering immediate answers to patients. These tests enabled timely interventions, reducing the risk of transmission and improving treatment outcomes.

The pandemic highlighted the need for more accessible diagnostic tools across all healthcare sectors. As a result, the demand for technologies that provide rapid results without compromising accuracy has surged. Looking ahead, PoC testing is poised to become a cornerstone of not only infectious disease management but also chronic disease monitoring, routine screenings, and preventative healthcare.

The Rise of Non-Invasive Testing

Traditionally, testing required blood samples, but PoC technologies are making it possible to detect diseases through non-invasive methods, like saliva. Saliva-based tests are particularly exciting because they are easy to collect, safe, and offer the potential to detect a range of conditions—from cancer to heart disease—without the need for complicated procedures.

Lantibiotics: A New Frontier in Oral Health

One of the most exciting new areas in healthcare is the research into lantibiotics—small but powerful antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria in the mouth. These peptides can help fight off harmful bacteria, and they may even play a role in preventing oral disease. Because of their potential to improve both oral and overall health, lantibiotics are becoming a hot topic in research and development and innovation (R&D&I), with possible future applications in diagnostics.

A More Personalized Approach to Health

With the rise of “omics” technologies, like genomics and proteomics, PoC diagnostics are becoming even more personalized. By identifying unique biomarkers in the body, these technologies are enabling doctors to make more precise diagnoses and create tailored treatment plans. For example, proteomics (the study of proteins) show promise in detecting diseases like oral cancer and even systemic diseases such as diabetes from saliva samples.

Challenges to Overcome

While PoC technologies are promising, there are still some hurdles to tackle:

• Technical Hurdles: Ensuring accuracy, reliability, and stability of tests in various conditions is still a challenge.
• Integration into Healthcare: For PoC testing to become widespread, we need to make sure these tools are affordable, easy to use, and compatible with existing healthcare systems.
• Data Handling: As AI becomes a bigger part of PoC technologies, there will be an increased need for secure, efficient ways to manage and interpret data.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Diagnostics in light of Trump’s Stargate SuperAI Venture

The future of diagnostics is at the intersection of AI, data science, and advanced biomarker discovery. With the integration of AI-driven platforms, diagnostic tools are becoming more intelligent, precise, and efficient. These technologies allow for the analysis of vast amounts of data, including genetic and molecular profiles, which can lead to the discovery of new disease-specific biomarkers.

In the coming years, we can expect to see a significant leap in PoC-D (point-of-care diagnostics) and PoC-T (point-of-care therapeutics), with AI enabling real-time monitoring, personalized treatment recommendations, and even predictive analytics for disease progression. Notably, AI technologies are not only revolutionizing diagnostics but are also shaping treatment strategies, making them more targeted and patient-centric.

As we step into 2025 and beyond, a key development to watch is the super AI project (Stargate) recently announced by the new U.S. administration. This initiative promises to usher in a new era of AI-driven healthcare solutions, potentially accelerating the capabilities of diagnostics across multiple sectors. The Stargate project aims to advance AI research, leading to breakthroughs that could further integrate AI into real-time diagnostics and personalized medicine, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare worldwide.

These advancements will enable healthcare professionals to make more informed decisions, improving the management of a wide range of conditions from oral health to systemic diseases. The potential to integrate AI into diagnostic platforms promises to provide patients with more precise, faster, and comprehensive care, all while reducing costs and enhancing overall healthcare delivery.

The Role of Research and Development and Innovation

Ongoing R&D&I, particularly in the integration of artificial intelligence, will continue to drive the evolution of PoC platforms. These advancements will not only accelerate the discovery of new disease biomarkers but also lead to more reliable, sensitive diagnostics that can be used at the point of care. Researchers are already exploring how AI can be leveraged to improve biomarker identification, allowing for faster, more accurate detection of diseases, from oral conditions to systemic health issues.

As healthcare systems around the world continue to evolve, these technological advancements will not only make diagnostics faster and more accurate but will also transform the way healthcare is delivered globally. From chair-side dentistry to the broader healthcare ecosystem, the integration of PoC diagnostics, advanced AI systems, and real-time data analytics is set to revolutionize clinical practices, offering a future of personalized, proactive, and precise care.

Closing Remark

The intersection of PoC testing, AI, and advanced biomarker research is poised to shape the next generation of healthcare diagnostics. The integration of these technologies promises a future where medical professionals can detect, monitor, and treat conditions with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Looking ahead, PoC platforms will evolve to become more reliable, sensitive, and comprehensive, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in diagnostics.

As we move towards 2025 and beyond, these innovations offer a glimpse of a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and personalized—ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients worldwide.

Haidar ZS. Molecular biomarkers in salivary diagnostic materials: Point-of-Care solutions — PoC-Diagnostics and -Testing. Biofunct. Mater. 2025(1):0002, 
https://doi.org/10.55092/bm20250002. 

For more information, or questions, please contact: [zhaidar78@gmail.com]