Piyush M Padwale
A new “Made-in-India” chip called BioFET (Bio Field-Effect Transistor) has been developed. It is a portable point-of-care sensor to detect early warning signs of heart attacks by analyzing blood components. An initiative led by Professor Monika Tomar, this has been achieved through a collaboration between the Miranda House College (University of Delhi) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
BioFET first analyses three specific cardiac biomarkers from a blood serum sample and identifies any dangerous changes that possibly indicate an impending heart attack. These chosen biomarkers are “directly related to cardiac arrest”, and when their levels exceed safe thresholds, the devices produce an alert.
Operating similarly to a glucometer, the user applies a drop of blood serum to the chip. The display further shows biomarker limits relative to calibrated limits. As the chip is self-contained and portable, BioFET gives immediate results without the need for bulky laboratory equipment.
Mainly designed for soldiers stationed in extreme and high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, as they are prone to a higher risk of blood thickening and clot formation due to the extreme cold, which in turn leads to sudden heart attacks.
With the early warning system, BioFET also enables medical attention in time, such as evacuation to a base camp or military hospital, which can save lives. It is also ideal for use in remote field settings where standard methods of cardiac diagnosis can be difficult.
A project in development for over five years: roughly taking 2-3 years just for foundational research and the remaining two for intensive work with DRDO. The team contains Miranda House faculty, students, and other collaborators from Delhi University colleges.
Few instruments were built in-house, which reduced reliance on imported equipment and cut costs by an estimated 50-60% compared to their imported versions.This prototype has now been handed over to DRDO for field trials. If the trials are successful, it could be adopted by the Indian Army.
Although it is easy to carry and use in deployment zones, the sensor is suitable for controlled ambient conditions, the field medical teams require simple environmental control to get reliable results.
On a broader level, the project stands as an example for indigenous technological development that aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defence research and medical technology. Experts claim these innovations are important to a soldier’s health monitoring capabilities, especially in harsh operational environments.