Interestingly, Lo's innovative approach was inspired by a casual observation related to instant noodles, which ultimately led to significant advancements in pathology.

Professor Dennis Lo's groundbreaking discovery of fetal DNA in maternal plasma has revolutionized prenatal testing, eliminating the need for invasive procedures like amniocentesis for approximately 10 million expecting mothers globally.

His research led to the development of the T21 test, which screens for Down syndrome and other genetic disorders, available since 2011 at a cost ranging from HK$4,500 (US$578) to HK$8,000 in Hong Kong.

The T21 test has gained widespread adoption, being utilized by women in 90 countries, showcasing its significant impact on prenatal healthcare worldwide.

In recognition of his contributions, Lo was awarded the inaugural Future Science Prize in Life Sciences in 2016, marking a pivotal moment in the field of medical science.

Additionally, Lo emphasized that aging alters DNA formats, which allows for the application of epigenetics as a biological clock in medical research.

Looking ahead, Lo's research suggests that future blood tests could diagnose a range of health conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, by utilizing circular nucleic acids and epigenetics.