Handheld POCT for Sexually Transmitted Infections

KAIST, with support from the RIGHT Foundation, is developing an ultrafast, low-cost qPCR platform to address STI underdiagnosis in LMICs. Conventional PCR tests are expensive, slow, and require advanced labs, limiting access to timely treatment and increasing risks of infertility, pregnancy complications, and HIV susceptibility. KAIST’s platform integrates a palm-sized qPCR machine with ultrafast nanoplasmonic thermocycling, real-time fluorescence quantification, and a disposable metal-on-plastic cartridge for extraction-free testing. This system delivers results in under 20 minutes, significantly improving accessibility and affordability of STI diagnostics. With over one million STIs acquired daily and a high disease burden in LMICs, this rapid point-of-care solution will enable early detection and treatment. By reducing diagnostic delays, it will help lower STI-related DALYs, improve reproductive health outcomes, and enhance global STI management efforts.