RRI’s Affordable Screening Device: Raman Research Institute (RRI) has developed a cost-effective electro-fluidic device for preliminary screening of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
High-Resolution Stiffness Measurement: The device quantifies whole-cell stiffness with high resolution and throughput, differentiating SCD and healthy donor RBCs with high precision.
How it Works: The device measures cell volume and stiffness in free-flight and constricted-flight modes, correlating flight time with cellular stiffness.
Potential Impact: This technology could change diagnostic methods for blood disorders, offering a rapid way to detect mechanical abnormalities in RBCs. Its portability and cost-efficiency make it suitable for mass-screening in both rural and urban areas.
Beyond SCD: Whole cell stiffness measurements have applications in tumor cell detection and veterinary blood disorders. The device principle could also be applied to improve hydrogel materials
SCD Basics: SCD is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells (RBCs) due to flawed hemoglobin. Sickled RBCs block blood flow, causing pain, organ damage, anemia, and other complications.
Inheritance: SCD is caused by inheriting two sickle cell genes (one from each parent).
Symptoms: Include tiredness, swollen hands/feet, jaundice (early), severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and infections (later).
Treatments: Bone marrow transplant can cure SCD; other treatments relieve symptoms. Gene therapy has been approved in UK.
