Miranda House, DRDO develop Made-in-India chip that warns soldiers of heart attacks

Miranda House developed a prototype BioFET sensor with DRDO to detect early cardiac risk. Professor Monika Tomar said the device can measure three biomarkers from a blood sample to give timely alerts.

Miranda House College in Delhi has developed a “Made in India” biological chip, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, that can warn soldiers of an impending heart attack.

The device, called BioFET, is a portable sensor that analyses blood serum to flag dangerous changes in key biomarkers and give early alerts to take action.

Professor Monika Tomar, who led the research, explained the device’s purpose clearly: “The device that we have developed is BioFET, which can detect three biomolecules from a blood sample at once.”

She added that these biomolecules were chosen because they are “directly related to cardiac arrest” and, if above set levels, indicate higher risk.

Experts involved in the project said soldiers posted in sub-zero temperatures, particularly in Himalayan regions, face a much higher risk of blood thickening and sudden clot formation, which can lead to unexpected heart attacks.

Professor Tomar emphasised the point: “We know that the soldiers of our army work in such difficult conditions.” Early detection allows for rapid evacuation to a base camp or a military hospital, potentially saving lives.