Ten Technologies in Five Years

Samples are obtained (e.g. blood sample from a patient) and target molecules (e.g. proteins like prostate specific antigen (PSA) or DNA/RNA sequences) are captured using magnetic particles that bind specifically to the target. Gold nanoparticles modified with target selective molecules and hundreds of barcode strands are used to label the captured target. The bio-barcodes on the surface of the gold nanoparticle are released and subsequently detected, heralding the presence of the target molecule.

When scientists make long-term research plans, they must try to anticipate how emerging technologies will influence their work in the coming years. To make that task a little easier, The Scientist scoured the grant wire and talked to dozens of leading scientists, research directors, and government officials. We asked: Which new technologies do you expect will be commonplace in laboratories five years from now?

From the candidates, we've chosen 10 that we think will be available in ...