Our society has evolved from an industrial society into an information society. The creation, distribution, dissemination, use, integration, and management of information have a major economic, social, and political impact. Modern societies require vast amounts of information, especially scientific information, as decisions on many important issues are often rooted in science. There is a growing demand for analytical information of increasingly high quality, in terms of accuracy, precision, speed, cost, detection limits, sample volume, and other performance parameters. Nowadays, this type of analytical information is generated in centralized laboratories that are accessible only to institutions with substantial financial resources. Does this mean that those without well-equipped analytical laboratories are at a disadvantage in areas such as health, the environment, or industry?

Scientific solidarity

The language of science is universal, and scientific knowledge has a global reach. However, scientists, laboratories, and universities are always rooted in a particular place, in a specific city and country. Therefore, alongside the global dimension of science, there is also a local dimension, in which scientists can better express and humanize the strength of their scientific relationships. The concept of scientific solidarity, or solidarity among scientists, is not commonly used. We understand it as a horizontal relationship between peers, based on mutual support and reinforcement; it is an attitude rather than a strategy.

Mission

Low-cost instrumentation and microscale chemistry

Microscale chemistry has been recognized as one of the most effective forms of innovation in chemistry education. This approach reduces the use of reagents, saves time, minimizes the risk of fire and explosion, decreases waste generation, and relies on low-cost laboratory materials. It is both environmentally friendly and educational, which is why it is often regarded as a form of green chemistry. In addition, it can be implemented without substantial technical or financial resources, unlike the resource-intensive approaches that are common in many academic laboratories today.

Chemical sensor analysis

Given the conceptual and technological strength of chemical sensors, we can now envision, for the first time, the possibility of analytical instruments with advanced metrological performance being used by non-specialists outside laboratory settings. This means that professionals in health, environmental, or industrial fields can obtain their own analytical information for decision-making. It also means that regions with limited access to centralized analytical laboratories may be able to meet their analytical information needs across a wide range of applications.

One Health perspective

From a One Health perspective, access to reliable analytical information is essential for addressing interconnected challenges in human health, animal health, and environmental sustainability. The ability to generate timely, high-quality data outside centralized laboratories can strengthen surveillance, support early detection, and improve decision-making across diverse settings, including resource-limited regions. In this context, portable and accessible analytical technologies, such as chemical sensors and microscale approaches, can play a key role in enabling more integrated, preventive, and equitable responses to current and emerging global challenges.

ReAssured diagnostics

There is an urgent need for simple and rapid diagnostics appropriate for use in global health issues, promoting the development and evaluation of diagnostics that are assured:

• Real-time connectivity
• Easse of specimen collection
• Affordable (by those at risk of infections)
• Sensitive ( few false negatives)
• Specific (few false positives)
• User-friendly (simple to perform: 3-4 steps, with minimal training)
• Rapid and robust (rapid: to enable treatment at first visit; robust: does not require refrigerated storage)
• Equipment-free (easily collected non-invasive specimens, e.g. urine, saliva)
• Delivered (to end-users)