In winter of 2020, SARS-CoV-2 emerged as a global threat, impacting not only health but
also financial and political stability. To address the societal need for monitoring the
spread of SARS-CoV-2, many existing diagnostic technologies were quickly adapted to
detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antigens as well as the immune response, and new testing
strategies were developed to accelerate time-to-decision. In parallel, the infusion of
research support accelerated the development of new spectroscopic methods. While these
methods have significantly reduced the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on society when coupled with
behavioral changes, they also lay the groundwork for a new generation of platform
technologies. With several epidemics on the horizon, such as the rise of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the ability to quickly pivot the target pathogen of this
diagnostic toolset will continue to have an impact.