Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease has long been a challenge — but researchers at IIT Kanpur are changing the game.

Prof. Sandeep Verma and Dr. Prabhat Dwivedi have developed a handheld, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-powered microfluidic biosensor for ultra-sensitive detection of the Alzheimer’s biomarker Aβ1–42 — pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in early-stage neurological diagnostics.

What makes it groundbreaking?

• SERS Hotspots from ligand–silver nanoparticle interactions
• PDMS Microfluidic Chip made with advanced photo- and soft-lithography
• Noise-free detection with femtomolar-level sensitivity
• Works with simulated cerebrospinal fluid
• Sealed, handheld design — ready for real-world clinical validation

Why it matters:

With Alzheimer’s disease affecting 50+ million people globally, early and reliable diagnostics can transform patient care, enable timely intervention, and improve long-term outcomes. This sensor is a powerful step toward accessible, point-of-care screening tools.

Explore the research: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03042

Now at TRL 6–7, the team is seeking funding for prototype development and clinical sample testing

Science meets engineering to redefine brain health — powered by innovation from IIT Kanpur.