We heard different views of the future of pocket diagnostics at the May CETC evening. We were teased by the prospect of a ultrasonic scanner in every GP's surgery, without ever seeing a prototype. Having sequenced DNA and used probes, I just about kept up with the deeply technical talk on the use of nanopores. The key was that as a strand of DNA passed through a nanopore in a charged membrane, the electrical potential changed measurably and in a manner that reflected the charged groups attached. But WaterScope definitely called my attention - modelling and making a pocket microscope using 3D printing, that could be used with a Raspberry Pi and a smartphone to monitor bacterial contamination of water. I later found out that water would be passed through a filter wihich was then placed on agar. the pocket microscope would have a low power objective that could visualise microcolony growth over 2h. The Raspberry Pi and smartphone were required to subtract image noise and make the growing colonies more visible.
President Donald Trump touched down in Brussels for a NATO meeting to display unity. Standing close to the new statue made from fragments of the 9/11 World Centre attack, with the principle of "One for All and All for One", Headmaster Trump berated the assembled leaders for not paying enough to NATO's upkeep. He had to placate Prime Minister Theresa May, who had temporarily blocked intelligence sharing with the US after they leaked sensitive information given to them by the UK after the Manchester bombing. Der Spiegel also commented on POTUS calling the Germans "Bad, very bad" in talks with EU Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council president Donald Tusk for being so successful at selling cars to the US. Ah, the art of making friends and influencing people.
There were two small cameos giving an insight into the intellectual depth of Trump politics.
The first was the handshake with French President Macron. Donald likes his handshakes. This time, Marcron would not let go, though Trump was apparently seen trying to retract several times.
The second was a viral tweet of a typical bully's action. In a blatant move, President Trump at the back of a gaggle of NATO politicians reaches out and rudely pushes Milo Đukanović, the Prime Minister of Montenegro aside with a grin, to move forward, straighten his jacket and assume centre stage. As my South African friends would say, "Unbelievable!". Check it out here: https://twitter.com/i/moments/867766580779913217.
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