Abstract: The present invention relates to a lab-on-a-chip (LOAC)-system for the rapid detection of e.g. pathogens. The system comprises a tabletop detection apparatus and a portable optical detection cartridge for being received in the inner of the detection apparatus, the cartridges comprising a plurality of test wells for detecting a desired chemical reaction taking place within a respective test well. In embodiments of the invention, the optical detection cartridge is pre-loaded with suitable respective reagents selective for a disease pathogen such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).