1) Respiratory panel assays are medical tests used to detect various respiratory pathogens through molecular testing techniques like PCR, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis of respiratory infections. 2) Such assays are primarily used in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories to analyze infections in the respiratory tract and identify the pathogens causing diseases like influenza in order to quickly treat patients with the appropriate antibiotics or therapies. 3) The growing prevalence of respiratory diseases worldwide due to increasing pollution and urbanization is driving increased demand for respiratory panel assays as an effective way to curb infections through early detection and targeted treatment.