The most commonly used NAAT method, the polymerase chain reaction, is not ideal for LRS using current commercially available equipment. Traditional PCR-based diagnostics require a thermocycler, a clean laboratory, reliable electricity, cold storage for reagents, a temperature-controlled environment, provisions for amplicon containment, and trained personnel. Many PCR machines are controlled via a computer, which increases purchase cost. Recently, there have been significant developments in isothermal amplification methods that do not require thermocycling. Among these, loop-mediated isothermal amplification is one of the most published methods. A search of the ISI-Web of Knowledge database using the search terms ‘LAMP’ and ‘loop mediated amplification’ returns 1,230 publications since the first description of the method in 2000. LAMP can be used for the amplification of DNA, and when a reverse transcription step is included, LAMP can also amplify from RNA. LAMP is sufficiently sensitive for clinical use and is much less susceptible to inhibitors than PCR. Amplification occurs at one constant temperature, typically in a range between 58˚C and 65˚C. Set-up is relatively simple, and direct turbidity or fluorescence detection is possible, although other naked-eye-detection schemes such as visualization on an immunochromatographic strip have also been evaluated. Furthermore, the complex sample preparation steps required for PCR can be simplified or eliminated with LAMP. Several LAMP tests have been Temozolomide cost commercialized, and LAMP assays for tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV have been developed. There are several reasons why LAMP has had little impact on diagnostics designed for LRS. Foremost, LAMP-based NAATs still require electricity to achieve amplification temperatures. Secondly, nonspecific amplification has been a challenge to assay development, and has only recently been addressed through sequencespecific detection strategies. To further advance the utility of LAMP and other isothermal technologies for LRS, this study builds upon previously published laboratory data and supports the continued development of an electricity-free, self-contained platform that addresses these limitations. Millions of lives and disability-adjusted life years are lost through delays in the correct and timely diagnosis of malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, influenza, and other infectious diseases. While our design is platform-based and therefore pathogen-agnostic, we chose to demonstrate this electricity-free molecular amplification and visual detection system using HIV-1 detection as a model analyte. Currently, no point-of-care molecular tests for HIV-1 exist in LRS, where detection of acute infections would have significant impact in high-diseaseburden areas. Early identification and treatment of infected individuals could lower HIV transmission rates since acutely infective individuals are at a much higher risk of transmitting the virus. Furthermore, the HIV-1 test could be used for POC early infant diagnosis, replacing conventional reference center testing, which has shown significant delays in reporting of results and loss to follow-up.