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Medical lab science is a field in which technology has always played a role. MLS professionals work in clinical laboratory settings and conduct tests and report laboratory findings to doctors and pathologists.
While innovations such as advanced 3D printing and blockchain have already gained considerable traction in everyday news, newer developments such as precision medicine, machine learning, and pharmacogenomics will soon also become common topics of discussion in the medical profession. In fact, while there are literally hundreds of fascinating new advancements in laboratory science that could revolutionize medicine, there are some that have garnered considerable interest. This may be due, in part, to their business, consumer, or political applications.
With the United States projected to spend almost 20 percent of its GDP by 2032 on healthcare, now is the perfect time to research some of its most exciting new technologies.
Read on to learn about five exciting developments in medical lab science, as well as sample positions in the field making use of them, university programs with opportunities for undergraduate involvement, and pipelines into various medical technology industries.
Advances in Medical Lab Science Technologies (2026)
1. AI‑Driven Smart Labs & Advanced Automation
AI‑driven “smart labs” are clinical laboratories that use artificial intelligence and advanced automation to move samples, run tests, and interpret data with minimal manual steps. These systems help medical laboratory professionals work faster and more accurately while focusing their time on complex cases and patient care decisions. In a smart lab, AI tools are built into analyzers, laboratory information systems, and workflow software so that many routine tasks, such as sample routing, reflex testing, and quality checks, happen automatically.
For example, AI can triage incoming samples, predict which tests are needed next, and flag unusual results, which shortens turnaround times and reduces the chance of human error. These systems also monitor instruments in real time and can predict when a machine is likely to fail, allowing for maintenance before results are delayed or compromised.
In some hematology and microbiology labs, AI now assists with reading digital images of blood smears or cultures, identifying abnormal cells or suspicious colonies, and sending only the most complex cases to human experts for review. For students and early‑career professionals, this shift means that strong skills in data literacy, informatics, and working with automated platforms are increasingly important alongside traditional skills.
Many universities and professional groups now offer short courses or certificates in AI, data science, or lab automation, which can help medical laboratory science students prepare for roles in labs that are rapidly becoming more digital, connected, and intelligent.
2. Multi-Omics & Spatial Omics Diagnostics
Multi-omics means looking at many types of biological data at the same time, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites, instead of studying each one separately. In medical labs, this combined view can help explain complex diseases more clearly and support more precise diagnoses and treatment choices.
Spatial omics goes a step further by showing where these molecules are located inside a tissue sample, not just how much of them is present. This helps pathologists and lab scientists see how different cells in a tumor or inflamed organ interact with each other, which can guide decisions about targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
Students who want to work in this area can look for programs that mix molecular biology, bioinformatics, and data science, often through biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, or genomics tracks. Entry-level roles may include research technologist or bioinformatics technician in hospital labs, academic medical centers, or diagnostic companies building multi-omics testing services.
3. Lab-on-a-Chip and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Systems
Lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic devices are small, portable tools that can do many lab tests quickly and near the patient instead of in a large hospital lab. These devices use tiny channels and sensors to handle small amounts of fluids, which means tests can be faster, use fewer samples, and often cost less.
They are especially useful for rapid diagnostics in places like clinics, emergency rooms, or even at home, helping doctors make quick decisions about infections, heart problems, or other urgent conditions.
Students interested in this technology can study biomedical engineering, clinical lab science, or biotechnology, and seek internships or training with companies developing these devices. Entry-level jobs might be available in product development, quality control, or lab technical support.
4. Digital Pathology and Whole-Slide Imaging
Digital pathology uses powerful scanners to create high-quality images of tissue samples that can be viewed and analyzed on a computer instead of under a microscope. This allows pathologists to share slides easily with specialists anywhere and use artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect diseases faster and more accurately.
With AI support, digital pathology can assist in finding cancer cells, grading tumors, and spotting patterns that might be missed by the human eye alone. This technology is making lab work faster and helping doctors provide better treatment plans.
Students interested in digital pathology should consider programs in histotechnology, medical laboratory science, or pathology informatics, where they can learn slide preparation and digital tools. Careers could include pathology assistants, digital pathology technicians, or AI data analysts at hospitals and diagnostic labs.
5. Cloud-Based Lab Ecosystems and Virtual Labs
Cloud-based lab systems store and share lab data securely online, connecting different lab machines, electronic health records, and even remote teams in real time. This makes it easier for labs to work together, access patient results quickly, and run operations without being tied to one physical location.
Virtual labs let technicians review tests, approve results, or monitor equipment from anywhere using secure apps, which helps during shortages or off-hours. These systems improve speed, cut errors, and support bigger data analysis for better patient care.
Students can pursue medical laboratory science or health informatics programs that cover lab information systems and cloud tech. Entry-level roles include lab IT support, data coordinator, or systems analyst in hospitals and lab networks.
From the Archives: Cool Medical Lab Science Technologies (2025 and Earlier)
Finally, here is a collection of earlier advances in medical lab science technologies archived from 2025 and earlier.
1. Blockchain in Healthcare
As technology advances, so too do concerns about the vulnerability of confidential information systems. Imagine medical facilities that could freely and securely share data between locations, enhancing their collective diagnostic ability. Such collaborative opportunities could have a tremendous effect on the speed of advancements in treatment and therapy, in addition to changing how, why, and where doctors must work.
Just think, one day you might never need to see a doctor in person because that individual will already know everything they need to know about your medical history. Blockchain technology is one solution that addresses unencrypted gaps in our digital communications networks by encrypting data in ‘blocks’ that connect to one another, thus forming the chain. It’s within the blocks that sensitive data is perfectly encrypted, creating an unhackable vault to protect information.
Just a few of the practical medical applications of blockchain tech include cybersecurity and privacy, spearheaded by companies such as BurstIQ and Factom, which help entities in the healthcare industry keep their patient data safe and store extensive histories of medical records, respectively. When it comes to making blockchain-encrypted cryptocurrencies, Medcredits devises solutions that allow patients to pay for medical costs with Bitcoin, among many other exciting developments.
The UC Berkeley Blockchain Initiative is a student-led organization with the goal of raising awareness of blockchain through education, seminars, innovation, research, consulting, design, and competition. They offer courses in blockchain technology, bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies. Completing both courses ($99 each) earns graduates a certification in blockchain from this cutting-edge, non-traditional path.
Furthermore, the Swish Labs are frequently opening positions for blockchain experts and engineers. This innovative company accepts a variety of experiences as credentials, emphasizing a search for candidates with skills in new-collar work, administration, operations, and data science.
2. Machine Learning
Machine learning, a function of artificial intelligence systems, is helping professionals in the medical field collate and analyze huge amounts of data, informatics, statistics, and many other sorts of information. In fact, ML and AI infrastructures work at their best when they have access to vast stores of raw data, which ML programs use to draw conclusions based on causation, correlation, and relation between variables.
For example, programs can view and analyze x-rays or MRI scans and provide a nearly-instantaneous, non-critical diagnosis. And as interest in machine learning continues to grow, the role of these futuristic technologies will inch ever closer to the front of the medical technology stage.
Some of the most interesting healthcare applications of machine learning include:
- Predicting outbreaks with quantum computing
- Identifying and diagnosing diseases
- Improving radiotherapy
- Crowdsourcing medical data collection
- Performing clinical trials, as well as research result modeling and diagramming
- Enhancing medical image diagnoses
As a branch of artificial intelligence, machine learning will no doubt rise immeasurably in the coming years as our use of advanced programs continues to grow.
Stanford University offers an online course in machine learning that can be taken by anyone. Considering that it comes from one of the country’s most well-respected universities, students can rest assured that they’ll come away from the course with an insight into the prevalence of machine learning and its numerous interesting applications.
Along with positions in blockchain engineering, Swish Labs frequently opens positions in machine learning. Most of the entry-level positions listed do not require a BS degree but rather a combination of practical industry experience, at least an associate degree, boot camp credentials, and a variety of others, all dependent on the job.
3. RNA-Based Therapies & Treatments
RNA-based therapies intercept abnormalities in a patient’s genetic structure that might indicate worsening conditions. Closely related to DNA-based therapies, RNA therapies allow scientists and medical professionals to identify genetic abnormalities in a patient and get ahead of them before they’re translated into working genetic proteins.
RNA therapies have begun to gain traction in the wider medical world, with many nascent technologies emerging to combat the world’s rarest genetic conditions, such as Huntington’s Disease, in addition to various neurological, biophysical, nervous, and cancerous conditions.
The mRNA vaccines that are being developed by teams across the world require highly specialized conditions and laboratories. As such, many have yet to see widespread use in medicine. In the coming years, we can expect that many such vaccines will be engineered to provide treatment and relief from debilitating conditions and diseases.
4. 3D Printing
As the precision of 3D printing technology improves, what is possible in the field of medical devices will continue to amaze us. 3D printing is a versatile and advanced method of care and goes a long way toward decreasing the risk of these once-dire surgeries.
One of the many advantages of 3D printing is that devices and replacement organs are printed to the patient’s specific dimensions, meaning they fit better with an individual’s anatomy. This typically includes cranial implants, orthopedic implants, external prosthetics, heart valves, and highly personalized airway stents for diseases that cause airway complications. The market applications of 3D printing are very nearly limitless. Recently, at the Cleveland Clinic, 3D printing was used to aid in a total face transplant.
A few examples of the radical applications of 3D printing include the ability to print virtually anything necessary for a specific patient. 3D medical print engineers can create low-cost prosthetics, medical anatomical models, bones made out of chemical ceramic powder, heart valves, ear cartilage, and essentially every type of simple medical clamp, valve, or container.
Some machines are so advanced that they can print microscopically, capable of designing highly variable, convincingly organic organs, body parts, and other parts of human anatomy. Other, more advanced prints include layers of living skin and even artificial blood vessels to carry blood to artificial organs.
Colorado State University offers a credential in 3D printing through its online education programs. In keeping with many upskilling developments in the past ten years, this certificate is represented as a badge that can be displayed on resumes, CVs, and other official documents.
Finally, print engineer positions at 3D Systems are an example of a great way to enter the field with a BS in engineering or certain concentrations in computer science. Many of these positions might prefer that applicants possess an MS in engineering or print technologies, but experience sometimes can be counted in place of an advanced degree.
5. Pharmacogenomics & Personalized Medicine
Pharmacogenomic therapies use each patient’s genetic makeup to predict how a patient’s metabolism will affect the way medications are metabolized. They may be particularly useful in helping to treat opiate addiction, which has been quickened in the United States by an upswing in the net prescription of opioids for those who suffer from chronic pain.
This emerging field of medicine is part of a larger movement for greater patient customization of their own treatment. It is coming to be known as “personalized medicine”—a burgeoning movement that’s sure to gain momentum in the coming decade.
A key component of a personalized treatment philosophy is the concept of precision medicine. To this end, pharmacogenomics can be used to read an individual’s genetic structure and prescribe the best medication for them based on those genetic factors.
Each year, as many as 100,000 deaths occur worldwide, according to the FDA. Personalized medicine stands to significantly decrease this number in the coming decade by inventing methods of identifying the relationship between genotype, phenotype, and adverse drug reactions in individual patients. Pharmacogenomics scientists can help the pharmaceutical industry predict a broader range of adverse drug reactions more quickly than current research methods.
