Tiny medicine, big impact: Transforming healthcare with micromedical devices
Professor Tarl Prow explores the use of miniature medical devices to create less invasive and more precise treatments.
Healthcare often relies on traditional tools and techniques that, while proven effective, can be invasive and slow to adapt to new challenges. My work focuses on the use of tiny medical devices to create treatments that are less invasive, more precise and faster at delivering meaningful results to patients. In my 2019 TEDxUNISA talk titled “Tiny Medicine, Big Impact”, I explored how these innovations are already changing the way we detect and treat diseases like skin cancer.
Making diagnostics smaller and smarter
One of the most promising technologies I’ve worked on is a device to take skin microbiopsies. Unlike standard biopsies, that require large tissue samples and can be painful, the microbiopsy device collects tiny amounts of tissue with minimal discomfort. These small samples hold big possibilities. Using advanced tools like real-time PCR, we can profile biomarkers that reveal how a patient’s skin is aging, how it’s been damaged by the sun, or even if a tumor is starting to form.
More data, better decisions
Even tiny samples can unlock big insights. With advanced molecular analysis, we can identify patterns in gene expression linked to skin conditions and diseases. These kinds of data allow us to move toward truly personalized medicine. Imagine treatments designed specifically for your skin’s unique molecular profile, whether it’s for aging, sun damage or cancer prevention. In a recent partnership with a leading cosmetics company, we used microbiopsy technology to create skincare products that target specific aging biomarkers. This collaboration is a perfect example of how science can inform real-world solutions that improve everyday lives.
Scaling innovation to reach everyone
It’s one thing to develop cutting-edge tools, but the real challenge is making them widely available. Through my work with academic and industry partners, I’ve focused on translating these innovations into scalable solutions. This involves addressing regulatory hurdles, refining designs and ensuring the tools remain affordable. The goal is simple: make advanced diagnostics and treatments accessible to everyone, not just a select few.
Check out my Tedx talk!
If you want to understand how tiny medical devices are reshaping healthcare, I invite you to watch my TEDxUNISA talk, “Tiny Medicine, Big Impact”. In the talk, I break down the science and share examples of how these technologies are already improving patient outcomes. Whether you’re curious about the future of diagnostics or thinking about integrating these innovations into your own R&D program, this talk is for you. The work I do isn’t just about making medicine smaller — it’s about making it smarter and effective for everyone. I believe that by embracing these technologies, we can transform healthcare into something truly extraordinary. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries together.
