IIT Madras Researchers Develop Affordable Lab-on-Chip Device for Rapid Antibiotic Resistance Detection

New ‘ε-µD’ microfluidic device delivers results in just three hours, offering hope against antimicrobial resistance in low-resource settings

Key Highlights

• Innovative microfluidic device ‘ε-µD’ developed at IIT Madras for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• Uses low-cost screen-printed carbon electrodes instead of expensive metals.
• Provides results within three hours, compared to 48–72 hours for conventional tests.
• Tested successfully on E. coli and B. subtilis using antibiotics with different modes of action.
• Published in Nature Scientific Reports and undergoing clinical validation for real-world use.

Tackling a Global Health Crisis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent threats to global health, with nearly 4.95 million deaths worldwide linked to bacterial AMR in 2019. The burden is especially severe in low- and middle-income countries where laboratory facilities are scarce and infections are often mismanaged.

Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is slow, requiring up to three days to produce results. This often forces doctors to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics, which further fuel resistance.

The Innovation: ε-µD

To address these challenges, IIT Madras researchers have developed ‘ε-µD,’ a microfluidic lab-on-chip device based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Unlike conventional AST techniques, ε-µD is economical, easy to use, and can provide results in just three hours.

“This approach not only speeds up diagnosis but also makes testing more accessible to rural clinics and smaller hospitals,” said Prof. S Pushpavanam, Y B G Varma Institute Chair Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras.

The device uses a specially prepared nutrient solution that supports bacterial growth while amplifying electrical signals. As bacteria grow in the presence of antibiotics, changes in the electrical properties of the solution are measured, allowing researchers to quickly determine whether the bacteria are resistant or susceptible.

Validating the Technology

Researchers tested ε-µD on gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive B. subtilis using ampicillin and tetracycline. The device successfully distinguished between resistant and susceptible strains within hours. In another test, it accurately detected tetracycline resistance in urine samples spiked with E. coli, demonstrating its clinical potential.

A new metric, the Normalized Impedance Signal (NIS), was introduced to provide clear, reliable differentiation between resistant and non-resistant strains.

Path to Clinical Use

The technology is being validated at IIT Madras’ Institute Hospital. Once completed, commercialization will be pursued through Kaappon Analytics India Pvt Ltd, a startup incubated at IITM Research Park.

“This device could be life-saving, especially for patients in ICUs suffering from bacterial infections where every hour counts,” Prof. Pushpavanam added.

Dr. Richa Karmakar, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, highlighted its future: “By enabling fast, affordable, and reliable diagnostics, ε-µD could play a key role in fighting AMR globally.”

A Step Toward Accessible Healthcare

By reducing testing time and cost, ε-µD aligns with World Health Organization priorities for accessible diagnostics. If scaled successfully, this technology could transform how bacterial infections are diagnosed and treated, particularly in resource-limited regions.