From problem to prototype: Here’s how the top university in South India is changing sepsis diagnosis
From problem to prototype: Here’s how the top university in South India is changing sepsis diagnosis
Blog Article
According to the World Health Organization, every year 49 million people worldwide are affected by sepsis. That’s more than the lives that cancer claims.
The real danger? Delay in diagnosis. In many emergency rooms, identifying sepsis can take hours. That’s the time that patients in critical conditions don’t have. The only solution is to make diagnosis happen in minutes, even in low-resource settings.
This is exactly what a faculty member from KL University, the top university in South India is working on. Dr. T. Anusha, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, is collaborating with Dr. Parvaneh Rahimi from TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany, on an ambitious joint research project to develop a portable biosensor for rapid sepsis detection. Let’s learn more about the project and its outcomes.
Local innovation to tackle global health problem
Today, most sepsis diagnosis rely on expensive lab tests that may not be accessible in rural or underfunded hospitals. In countries like India, the need for fast, affordable solutions is urgent. That's why this Indo-German research project, funded by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC), aims to create an electrochemical biosensor capable of detecting multiple sepsis biomarkers simultaneously. That too just using just a small blood sample.
This isn’t just lab theory at the top university in South India. The goal is a working prototype that delivers results in minutes, helping doctors begin treatment immediately and potentially saving lives.
Did you know? ????
Sepsis causes 1 in every 5 deaths globally, and over 85% of these are preventable with timely diagnosis and intervention.
This project undertaken by the top university in South India directly addresses that urgent need for speed and accessibility in diagnostics, especially in low-resource and rural settings.
Science behind the sensor:
Unlike standard tests, the biosensor under development is designed to be:
- Low-cost: Affordable enough for widespread use in government hospitals and clinics.
- Rapid: Providing results significantly faster than conventional lab diagnostics.
- Multiplexed: Detecting multiple sepsis markers in a single test.
- Portable: Ideal for both urban ICUs and rural primary healthcare centers.
The ability to use just a few microliters of blood and deliver accurate, real-time results means this innovation could reach millions in underserved regions.
Think of a rural clinic. A person starts showing early signs of infection. Instead of having to send samples for testing to a lab in a city to confirm the results, the doctor can use this biosensor. Within minutes, even the treatment can begin. This is the difference between life and death.
Working on this kind of innovation that can help the society at large is exactly what makes KLU stand out as a top university in South India.
Backed by strong partnerships
Dr. Anusha, a faculty at the top university in South India has collaborated with the German team bringing together expertise from chemistry, biomedical engineering, and clinical diagnostics. As part of the project, she will visit Germany in August 2025 to work hands-on with the team at TU Freiberg, advancing the sensor’s development and aligning the prototype with clinical requirements.
This also reflects a broader culture of international research at KL University, the top university in South India, where global collaboration is actively encouraged and supported.
From research labs to healthcare startups?
Beyond academic research, this project has the potential to fuel India’s biomedical innovation ecosystem. Once the biosensor prototype proves successful, it can move into the next critical phase:
- Technology transfer to industry.
- Partnerships with health-tech startups
- Commercial production and deployment
These steps are crucial to ensure that life-saving innovations don’t stay confined to lab reports but reach clinics, hospitals, and primary healthcare centers, especially in underserved regions.
In this way, the project doesn’t just end with research at the top university in South India but becomes a springboard for entrepreneurship, public health impact, and scalable innovation.
A message from KLU leadership
Reflecting on this milestone, Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President of KL University, shared:
“We are extremely proud of our faculty’s achievement. This international collaboration and joint research effort will significantly contribute to the rapidly growing field of biosensor technology. At KLEF, we are committed to fostering a vibrant research ecosystem and advancing innovative solutions that can transform healthcare.”
That research ecosystem is what defines KLU as the top university in South India. With 35 active faculty research groups, 124 funded projects worth INR 46.5 Cr, and 5000+ research papers published in the last four years, KLU’s commitment to innovation is unwavering.
KLU’s research culture
The university’s recognition by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), its collaborations with global institutions like NTU, NSU-Singapore, and Monash University, and 55+ patents filed and published all contribute to its standing as a leader in research and development.
This legacy of impactful research is why KL University continues to be recognized as the top university in South India.
Did you know? ????
KLU has received 7 UGC Research Awards and 26 SERB Young Scientist Projects, making it one of the most awarded institutions in India.
The larger picture
In a world where lives depend on seconds, research like this matters. And with institutions like KLU, the top university in South India leading the charge, the future of global healthcare innovation looks a lot more hopeful. Report this page