TED Talks Daily A virus detection network to stop the next pandemic | Pardis Sabeti and Christian Happi
May 11, 2020
Disease researchers discuss an innovative early warning system called Sentinel, designed to detect viral threats in real-time. They delve into the technology powering this system and its potential to prevent pandemics before they start. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empowering frontline health workers and training them for effective outbreak response. Insights from past health crises highlight the necessity of community involvement and preparedness in managing future pandemics.
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Sentinel System
- Sentinel is a pandemic early warning system based on detection, connection, and empowerment.
- It uses genome sequencing, CRISPR diagnostics, a cloud-based system, and trains frontline health workers.
Past Experiences
- Pardis Sabeti and Christian Happi worked together during the Ebola crisis in 2014.
- They now face another crisis, highlighting the world's lack of preparedness despite past experiences.
Sentinel in Action
- The Sentinel system, designed for preemption, also applies to pandemic response.
- The same tools, like testing and virus tracking, are crucial in both scenarios.