Genomic sequencing—the process of identifying the genetic makeup of a given organism—traditionally requires bulky, expensive lab equipment. Not so with Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ sequencers, some of which cost as little as $1,000 (affordable, as these things go) and are small enough to slip into a pocket. The devices allow for fast results in nearly all settings, making them a key tool in the fight to identify and stop the spread of new COVID-19 variants. They may be especially impactful in the developing world, where sequencing efforts are often hamstrung by limited access to technology and other resources.
A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.
More Must-Read Stories From TIME
- Here's Where All The Strongest Hurricanes Have Hit the U.S. in the Past 50 Years
- 2022 Time100 NEXT: TIME’s List Of Emerging Leaders Who Are Shaping the Future
- Industrial Farming Causes Climate Change. The ‘Slow Food’ Movement Wants to Stop It
- Here Are the 12 New Books You Should Read in October
- Artist Oliver Jeffers Wants to Paint the World Out of a Corner
- A Vibrant North Korean Community in London Finds Its Days Are Numbered
- COVID-19 Vaccines Can Make Periods Longer, Study Says
- Column: What Happened When My Entire Family Came Out
