Miranda House, DRDO Develop Made-in-India BioFET Chip
Miranda House College and DRDO Develop ‘Made in India’ BioFET Chip to Warn Soldiers of Impending Heart Attacks
New Delhi, January 30, 2026 – In a significant advancement for military healthcare and India’s push towards self-reliance in defence technology, researchers at Miranda House College (University of Delhi) have collaborated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to create a portable biological chip named BioFET. This indigenous device is designed to provide early warnings of cardiac risks, potentially preventing sudden heart attacks among soldiers deployed in extreme conditions.
The BioFET is a BioFET sensor (biological field-effect transistor-based sensor) that functions as a point-of-care diagnostic tool. It analyzes a small sample of blood serum to simultaneously detect three key cardiac biomarkers associated with heart attack risks. These biomarkers indicate dangerous changes such as blood thickening, clot formation, or other precursors to cardiac events, which are particularly heightened in high-altitude, sub-zero environments like the Himalayas, where soldiers face severe physical stress, cold-induced blood changes, and limited medical access.
Professor Monika Tomar, who led the research team at Miranda House’s Smart Materials and Devices Lab (SMDL), explained that the chip flags risk thresholds linked directly to cardiac arrest. Early detection allows for timely medical intervention, including evacuation and treatment, which could save lives in remote or hostile terrains.
Key highlights of the BioFET chip include:
- Made in India development: The entire prototype was built domestically over a five-year project, reducing costs by 50-60% compared to imported alternatives and minimizing dependence on foreign technology.
- Portability and field usability: Compact and suitable for extreme cold and high-stress military operations.
- Multi-biomarker detection: Identifies multiple biomolecules from a single drop of blood serum for faster, more accurate alerts.
- Prototype status: The device has been handed over to DRDO for further trials and potential integration into soldier health monitoring systems.
This innovation addresses a growing concern in the Indian Armed Forces, where cardiac issues have been reported among troops in challenging deployments. By enabling proactive health monitoring, the BioFET aligns with broader goals of enhancing soldier safety and operational readiness.
The collaboration exemplifies successful academia-defence partnership under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, combining Miranda House’s research expertise in biosensors with DRDO’s defence application focus.
Sources close to the project indicate that future expansions could include detection of other conditions like diabetes or kidney issues years in advance, though the current focus remains on cardiac risks for military personnel.
This breakthrough underscores India’s growing prowess in biotechnology and defence innovation, with potential civilian applications in remote healthcare down the line.
(References: India Today, Times Now, Deccan Herald, PTI, January 2026 reports)
