Reliable and fast testing is needed all over the U.S. to confront the spread of COVID-19. We talk with Dr. Joshua LaBaer about his lab’s robotic systems — and how to use and expand testing most effectively.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, LaBaer — executive director of ASU’s Biodesign Institute — transformed one of his labs into a coronavirus testing lab. This lab was originally developed to do high-volume testing for radiation in case of nuclear disaster. We talk about how the lab works, how best to do testing and contact tracing, and how to incorporate both of these into strategic plans to reopen society.