Research Projects

The challenge for affordable, accessible Point-of-Care (PoC) diagnostics in public health settings—especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)—is well recognized. Despite innovations in miniaturization, label-free detection, and simplified chemistry, most existing PoC devices remain single-use, single-assay systems, which require separate inventories, training, and operational effort. These fragmented solutions struggle to compete with centralized labs that offer extensive test menus at lower per-test costs due to economies of scale. To overcome these limitations, we propose a multiplexed, low-cost, smear-based PoC platform capable of delivering a menu of hematology and immunology tests. We have demonstrated that an automated smear created on a glass slide with our patented device produces uniform films of controlled thickness. This allows precise measurement of blood fluid properties. Specifically, smear length correlates with blood viscosity (a novel indicator for Sickle Cell Disease and therapy monitoring), and color intensity correlates with hemoglobin concentration, enabling anemia detection. Both diseases disproportionately impact India’s tribal and underserved populations. The same platform will be expanded to include: (a) Blood coagulation tests, by analyzing the rise in smear viscosity in the presence of clotting reagents, and (b) Rapid antibody detection, by patterning glass slides with disease-specific antigens or antibodies for lateral diffusion or fixed binding analysis. Cellular-level visualization using microscope optics will be implemented for future single-cell or biomarker-based assays. The technique offers potential extension to other fluids like saliva and urine, increasing the test menu without changing the platform format. The proposed device is not just a diagnostic device—it is a multi-assay chemistry-on-glass platform, which transforms the blood smear into a modular surface for diverse analyses. Unlike traditional PoC tools, this design is inherently scalable, versatile, and more affordable, with projected testing costs between ₹25–₹40 per test, compared to ₹300–₹1000 for centralized testing options like HPLC and analyzers. The proposed technology aligns with key national missions—Sickle Cell Elimination (2047) and Anemia Mukt Bharat—by enabling real-time screening and monitoring at PHCs, outreach camps, and CHCs. Critically, it offers a rare capability: viscosity-based monitoring of SCD therapy, currently possible only through high-cost lab tools. Moreover, the device will be IoT-integrated, allowing real-time data capture, remote monitoring, and geo-tagged surveillance. It will streamline healthcare delivery, reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals, and enable task-shifting to ASHA and ANM workers after minimal training. In sum, this platform can democratize diagnostics, drastically reduce healthcare costs, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance health equity across India’s most resource-limited settings - while laying the foundation for a globally relevant, scalable diagnostic solution.