States » SouthPosted at: Oct 16 2026 4:24PM


RGCB researchers get ₹7 crore grant to develop biopsy-free cervical cancer detection technology

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 (UNI) Researchers at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here have received a ₹7 crore grant to develop an automated diagnostic device that could detect cervical cancer biomarkers through a blood sample, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures and specialised laboratory expertise.
The project aims to develop a rapid, minimally invasive testing platform that could improve access to early detection, particularly in areas with limited diagnostic infrastructure.
The grant has been awarded under the MAHA MedTech Mission, launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation.
The RGCB-led research is being undertaken in collaboration with Thiruvananthapuram-based start-up IndZita Biotech Private Limited and Karkinos Healthcare Private Limited, Barshi, Maharashtra.
RGCB Director Beena Pillai expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the proposal was among 33 selected from more than 1,000 submissions received under the ANRF grant initiative.
The proposed device will detect PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA)-based biomarkers in blood and analyse them using nanopore technology, a molecular detection platform. The researchers aim to develop an automated system that can deliver results with minimal specialised technical intervention.
“The idea is to make the technology simple enough to be used beyond specialised laboratory settings. Once the device is fully developed and validated, a patient would only need to provide a blood sample, after which the automated system would perform the analysis,” said Jackson James, the project's lead researcher.
Cervical cancer remains a major public-health concern in India. Although screening and early detection can identify abnormalities before they progress to invasive disease, access to diagnostic services is often constrained by the availability of trained personnel, laboratory facilities and specialised equipment, particularly in underserved areas.
The proposed technology seeks to address these challenges by developing a blood-based diagnostic approach that could eventually support faster and more accessible screening.
Ani V. Das, a member of the research team, said the objective was to develop a minimally invasive platform requiring limited technical intervention and capable of functioning in settings where conventional laboratory infrastructure was limited.
The technology has already been patented, and the team has completed laboratory-scale validation using cell cultures and mouse models. A pilot study involving human blood samples has also been completed at the laboratory level.
An early-stage prototype of the diagnostic device is currently under development. The researchers will seek to translate the laboratory findings into a functional diagnostic platform, subject to further clinical validation and regulatory approval before it can be used for routine screening.
The research team comprises Jackson James, Ani V. Das and Mahendran K. R. of BRIC-RGCB.
UNI DS
Tags: #RGCB researchers get ₹7 crore grant to develop biopsy-free cervical cancer detection technology
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