Raman Research Institute
Science Outreach

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a gene mutation that causes severe complications due to the stiffening of red blood cells (RBCs) that affects millions worldwide, including the rural population of India. Through early screening and intervention, the Indian Government's 'National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission’ aims to eradicate SCD by 2047. The current diagnostic tools, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are expensive and impractical for large-scale populations such as in India. 
Researchers at the Raman Research Institute, an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have developed an innovative, cost-effective electro-fluidic micropore device that quantifies whole-cell stiffness with high-resolution and high-throughput, with specific focus on screening for sickle cell disease (SCD). This technology has the potential to change preliminary diagnostic methods for blood disorders.
Gautam Soni, S. Kaushik, and A. Mishra from the Soft Condensed Matter Theme at RRI, Bengaluru developed this electro-fluidic micropore device. Members from St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru - R. Ross, S. Srivastava, and C. R. Ross helped with testing the device on real-world samples by comparing blood cells from SCD patients to that of healthy donors. 
“This new technology makes high-resolution measurement on changes in RBC physiology and cell stiffness and connects it to the underlying disease-state” says Gautam Soni, Lead Investigator.
They were able to create a system that effectively differentiates SCD and healthy donor RBCs, due to differences in their inherent stiffness, with high precision utilizing the following methodology. They studied the samples in free-flight and constricted-flight modes to measure cell volume and stiffness, respectively. They used Latrunculin A (an actin inhibitor, that reduces cell stiffness) treated RBCs, to first quantify the correlation between flight time in the micropore and cellular stiffness.

Using the above methodology, they showed that their device allows for the rapid alternative detection of mechanical abnormalities in RBCs and hence, can act as a preliminary screening device for multiple blood conditions. The portability and cost-efficiency of the device would make it an attractive option for mass-screening leading to early detection of SCD in both rural and urban areas of the country.
Whole cell stiffness, being a ubiquitous parameter for cell’s health, may be applied beyond SCD screening, such as, in areas of tumor cell detection and veterinary blood disorders. The device principle has possible non-medical applications as well, for example, in improving the hydrogel materials used in drug delivery systems. With its portability and cost-efficiency, the technology could become a vital tool in aiding global healthcare.
This breakthrough presents a new step in the field in blood diagnostics, providing an innovative solution for early disease detection that is both scalable and easier to access. The researchers are now moving forward with additional clinical validations as well as looking into possible collaborations for mass distribution.