COVID-19 Research at IITs

Project Title : Development of smartphone-integrated paper-strip kit for rapid low-cost diagnostics of COVID-19 infection.

Expected Outcome : A portable rapid diagnostic kit, which in combination with a smartphone app, can be deployed at community level in order to carry out extensive detections for the SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID19.
Expected Timeline : Development of the prototype diagnostic kit – 6 months
Remarks : Funding Requirement for Method development and standardization, Device fabrication, Validation of prototype device - Rs. 25 Lakh.
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Prof. Arindam Mondal and Prof. Suman Chakraborty, [email protected]; [email protected]

Project Title : Bootstrapping the ambu-bag as automated ventilator.

Expected Outcome : Ambu-bag based ventilator with the following features: ● 3D printable mechanical pressing design ● Sterilizable outer shield ● Alarm in case of emergency ● Adjustable BPM (Breaths per minute) : 8-40BPM ● Adjustable I/E ratio (inspiratory/expiratory time ratio) : 1:1 - 1:4* ● Proper documentation and video tutorial for the assembly of parts and usage of the device using our own prototype
Expected Timeline : 6 Weeks
Remarks : Funding required Rs. 20 Lakh
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Prof. Nishant Chakraborty, Prof. Mihir Sarangi, Dr. Dhananjay Shrivastava, Dr. Aditya Bandopadhyay, Dr. Sourav Mitra, Dr. Mahendra Reddy, Dr. Atul Jain, Dr. Jeevanjyoti Chakraborty, Dr. Nilanjan Das Chakladar, Dr. Kingshook Bhattacharya et.al, [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Project Title : Production, Purification and Testing of Marine Bacterial Surfactin and its Congeners as Potent Anti-COVID’19 Therapy.

Expected Outcome : Surfactin and its congeners as potential anti-COVID’19 therapy
Expected Timeline : 18 Months
Remarks : Project Cost/Budget: Approximately 75 Lakhs
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Prof. Ramkrishna Sen; Prof. Ananta Kumar Ghosh; Dr. Upasana Ray (CSIR–IICB), [email protected]

Project Title : Development of immunodiagnostic kit and siRNA based therapy for COVID-19 in an advanced unique facility as a regional hub.

Expected Outcome : 1. Rapid immunodiagnostic kit (ELISA and LFA) and effective therapy for COVID-19. 2. An advanced state-of-the-art unique facility for rapid, affordable and efficient screening and point-of- care diagnosis and testing of potential therapeutics of COVID-19.
Expected Timeline : 1 to 1.5 years
Remarks : Funding required for Rs. 2.5 Crores
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Ananta K. Ghosh (PI), Sudip K. Ghosh (Co-PI) and Somdeb Bose Dasgupta (Co-PI), [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Project Title : Yaathum Biotech Pvt Ltd - Yaathum is a startup incubated at IITM Incubation Cell, which is indigenously developing affordable diagnostics for rapid and near patient testing of emerging infectious diseases like drug resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB), AMR, Dengue etc., based on Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and other such advanced biomedical technologies especially for low- resource settings in third world countries. Currently they have a developed a multiplex real-time PCR kit for diagnosing TB/MDR/XDR-TB in a single test. Yaathum is also developing a real-time RT-PCR test for COVID-19 diagnosis to detect the SARS-Co-V-2 in 2 hours and at a fraction of current cost of testing.

Expected Outcome : Yaathum is working to indigenously develop and validate the accuracy of their real-time RT-PCR based molecular diagnostic test for COVID-19 diagnosis and develop RNA extraction and RT components for the test and deployment at scale for COVID-19 preparedness and control Aims of proposed project: • Validation of a real-time RT-PCR test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus for COVID-19 diagnosis; (IVD certification) • Scale –up: Manufacturing and deployment of validated RT-PCR test kits at a large scale • RNA extraction and RT kit components required for RT-PCR based COVID-19 testing – development and validation • Scale-up : Manufacturing of RNA extraction and RT kit components and deployment along with the RT-PCR test at a large scale Expected Outcome • Accurate, prompt and confirmatory diagnosis of COVID-19 cases by Yaathum RT-PCR test • Improved accessibility of RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 through indigenous and better affordable test • Ramp-up or scale-up in production of COVID-19 RT-PCR tests and testing in INDIA • Increase (drastic) in the number of COVID-19 cases diagnosed and thereby isolated and treated • Reduction in direct person-person transmission of COVID-19 • Prevention of the community level spread and outbreak of COVID-19 in India • Increase in the indigenous production and supply of RNA extraction/RT kit components which are in high demand • Better preparedness for COVID-19 (current and future) through indigenous development and supply of all components required for COVID-19 diagnostic testing Usefulness of outcomes: Improved accessibility of testing as a prompt and rapid response to COVID-19 and for COVID-19 control and future preparedness
Expected Timeline : • 3-4 months for an IVD certified RT-PCR test for COVID-19 diagnosis and deployment of tests • 9 months for validated RNA and RT kit components required for RT-PCR based COVID-19 testing and deployment of the kits
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Anitha Rajagopal & Arivan Thiruvalluvar , 9566288369 , [email protected]

Project Title : Alternate Test protocols (by pooling)

Expected Outcome : Alternate test protocols to minimize number of tests
Expected Timeline :
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Sridharakumar Narasimhan and Nirav Pravinbhai Bhatt , 044-22574177 , [email protected], [email protected]

Project Title : Covid19 Testing Kit - Real-time PCR is one of the key diagnostic tests for the detection of Coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19. However, the rapid scale-up of testing that is urgently required is constrained by the availability and cost of reagents, especially the fluorescent probes used widely in RT-PCR. Here we propose a novel RT-PCR approach for the specific detection of this virus. The key alternative strategy here is the use of a light-up dye - aptamer pair for detection, instead of the widely used SYBR Green 1 dye and sequence-specific fluorescent probes such as the TaqMan and Scorpion probes. The main advantage of this system is that it is a cost-effective solution with high sequence-specific detection capacity. This study is the first attempt to develop a novel technique where a light-up fluorophore-aptamer pair will be used in qPCR for direct quantification of nucleic acids.

Expected Outcome : A novel and cheap RT-PCR based diagnostic kit for covid19, which does not require commercial fluorescent probes. The following Patent has been filed and is under examination: Shivansh Goyal, Sudeshna Sengupta and Guhan Jayaraman (2018), Method for direct quantification of nucleic acids in real-time qPCR, Indian Patent Application No. 201741042960
Expected Timeline : 12 months
Remarks : We already have promising preliminary data on this technique. This principle can be extended to development of a probe-free RT-PCR based diagnostic for any viral or bacterial infection. We have just submitted a proposal on this work to BIRAC.
URL :
PI Details : Guhan Jayaraman , 9444951263 , [email protected]

Project Title : Covid19 Testing Lab - The Department of Biotechnology at IIT Madras has proposed to set up a covid19 testing facility. It has the requisite expertise as well as the infrastructure in the form of several RT-PCR machines and BSL-2 laboratories. The facility will handle virus-inactivated samples containing the RNA and carry out RT-PCR analysis to determine whether the samples contain SARS-CoV-2 RNA responsible for COVID-19. The Dept will interface with the ICMR-approved agency in the State for samples as well as with NIV for validating the results.

Expected Outcome : The Dept can set up a facility to handle and analyse 400 – 500 samples per day. This will help in ramping up the number of tests being carried out everyday.
Expected Timeline : 2 months
Remarks : The Dept lacks a BSL3 facility required for handling the samples and for RNA extraction. Therefore, it can work in partnership with other laboratories who will be sampling the patients and doing the RNA extraction.
URL :
PI Details : Prof. D. Karunagaran , 9444008238 , [email protected]

Project Title : Use of passive microwave radiometry, a deep tissue thermometry technique for measuring core body temperature and to monitor lung infections. Two prototypes were developed in PI’s lab for screening of breast tumours and inflammatory disease such as arthritis, sprain. The later application was tested successfully in Institute Hospital and published too. The same principle is proposed for measuring core body temperature and lung infections for covid-19. The current prototypes require additional work for product development and testing in the field. Thus, the PI is proposing to partner with Prof. Sergey Vesnin, Director of MEDICAL MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY LIMITED, UK. This company has clinical microwave radiometry device which can be used for screening covid-19. As their device has medical safety and clearance for use on patients, it is proposed to initiate the work with industry partnership. A working unit of their device is available with one of their past members from the Russian research group, who is residing at New Delhi.

Expected Outcome : Screening tool that is passive and gives subject’s health status instantly. Thus, more numbers can be covered.
Expected Timeline : Immediate
Remarks : a) Need to sign MoU with MEDICAL MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY LIMITED, UK to initiate this work. I am in touch with them and they are interested in collaborating and donating their device for screening. b) Need permission to transport their unit from New Delhi to India for testing. c) Need permission from TN government and health ministry for device use.
URL :
PI Details : Kavitha Arunachalam, Engineering Design Department , 9790986993 , [email protected]

Project Title : Detection assay for COVID-19 developed at IIT Delhi

Expected Outcome : A specific assay to detect COVID-19. This is a probe-free and low cost assay which is ideal for large-scale/ high throughput screening.
Expected Timeline : Under clinical validation process
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Vivekanandan Perumal, School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi , 011-26597532 , [email protected]

Project Title : Rapid detection of COVID 19

Expected Outcome : Chip based detection system
Expected Timeline : Project initiated
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Sandeep Jha, Centre for Biomedical Engineering , 011-26591119 , [email protected]

Project Title : A portable, bench-top device that could be used to carry out reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and array- based analyses of multiple genes/proteins simultaneously, employing switchable holders, customized techniques has been developed. It gives feasibility to carry out PCR and array-based studies in both liquid and solid phases on a single platform. The developed techniques use bio and environmentally friendly Au nanoclusters as probes without the involvement of carcinogenic commercial dyes and the probe could be synthesized in the device itself. The device is a compact, cost-effective platform for DNA and protein studies and could possibly after appropriate field testing offer potential diagnostic facilities in areas with limited resource settings particularly during epidemics and outbreaks like COVID-19. The invention is currently covered under the following patent applications: 1. CHATTOPADHYAY, Arun, SAILAPU, Sunil Kumar; DUTTA, Deepanjalee; SAHOO, Amaresh Kumar; GHOSH, Siddhartha Sankar; A device with integrated methods for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or DNA/PROTEIN array-based analyses. WIPO. PCT/IN2016/000141; CN (China) application no. 201680068615.5; EP(European Patent) application no. 16872562; US(United States) application no. 15778145; India application no. 15778145 Acknowledgments: The device was developed under an MeiTy sponsored project.

Expected Outcome : A portable RT-PCR device
Expected Timeline : 2-6 months (at least)
Remarks : The first model is ready. However, trials and multiple unit production needs to be carried out by a third party. This may take somewhere from 2 to 6 months (at least).
URL :
PI Details : Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh and Arun Chattopadhyay, [email protected]; [email protected]

Project Title : Non-contact InfraRed (IR) Human Fever Tester

Expected Outcome : A typical IR sensor based thermometer consists of IR sensor, microcontroller, laser diode, display unit, power supply (battery). Among these components, microcontroller and display unit are used for reading IR sensor measurement and displaying it aesthetically. As these subsystems do not play a vital role in the intended purpose while mass screening by a non-medical person.
Expected Timeline :
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Rishikesh Kulkarni, Dr. Mahima Arrawatia, Prof. H. B. Nemade, Prof. Rohit Sinha

Project Title : Viral Transport Media (VTM) kit

Expected Outcome : The viral transport media or VTM kits are the first stop source used to collect the nasal and oral swab specimens from the individual source to the laboratory safely for culture and testing. During this period the virus, if present, in the sample specimens should remain intact until the testing procedure is completed. It consists of a comprehensive solution specially formulated for the collection and transport of SARS-CoV-2. These kits comprise of a CDC recommended and validated transport medium and one each Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal specimen collection swabs. The complete package is suitable for the collection, transport, maintenance, and long-term freezer storage of viral specimens. The unique formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours (at refrigerated temperatures). The swabs have been designed ergonomically with a pre-moulded breakpoint on their shaft for enabling secure sampling. These sterile “SPILD” VTM kits comply with the CDC recommended configurations for viral specimen collection for COVID-19 and are packed in user-friendly individual packs.
Expected Timeline :
Remarks : Affordable and sterile Viral Transport Media (VTM) kit have been developed jointly with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd. with inputs from GMCH, Govt. of Assam. Around 950 kits are delivered which was launched on 17/06/2020 by the Minister of Finance, Health and Family Welfare, Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma.
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Parameswar Krishnan Iyer, Prof Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh, [email protected], [email protected]

Project Title : RNA isolation kits

Expected Outcome : This kit can be used to isolate Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, from the virus.
Expected Timeline :
Remarks : Large scale production of the kits has started and it will be delivered to test centers across the state. The quality of the are comparable to the best in the world. These kits have been developed at IIT Guwahati jointly with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd. with inputs from GMCH Got. of Assam. Due to the huge demand for these kits and the high price associated with their timely procurement, the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam had approached IIT Guwahati for their development and procurement. The requested kits were already under development stage.
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Parameswar Krishnan Iyer, Prof Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh, [email protected], [email protected]

Project Title : RT-PCR kit

Expected Outcome : This kit will be used to purify and convert it to Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA; which can confirm the presence or absence of the virus.
Expected Timeline :
Remarks : Large scale production of the kits has started and it will be delivered to test centers across the state. The quality of the are comparable to the best in the world. These kits have been developed at IIT Guwahati jointly with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd. with inputs from GMCH Got. of Assam. Due to the huge demand for these kits and the high price associated with their timely procurement, the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam had approached IIT Guwahati for their development and procurement. The requested kits were already under development stage.
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Parameswar Krishnan Iyer, Prof Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh, [email protected], [email protected]

Project Title : Recent pandemic of SARS-CoV 2 has shown that viruses are highly contagious, clinical prognosis often relies on early detection of the infectious agent. Thus, effective identification of viral pathogens is needed to help prevent transmission, set up appropriate therapy, monitor response to treatment and lead to efficient disease management and control. With recent technological advances in viral identification utilizing polymerase chain reaction, mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing diagnosis and management of viral infections has become possible. However, a number of drawbacks such as high cost has limited their use in many laboratories, particularly in resource-limited settings. Thus, with the use of cutting edge nanotechnological tools and microfluidic technology alternative viral diagnostic solutions at lower cost is accomplishable. Thus, for early detection of highly contagious SARS-CoV infection, our team is trying to develop a bead-based immunoassay for diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection in collaboration with a biotech startup company based in Pune. We will develop a rapid and Instrument-free point of care screening device for multiple detection of various viruses like Chikungunya, Dengue, influenza and including SARS-CoV. Micro-sized particles as labels will be used. With companies’ proprietary one-step immunoassay method we expect to get much higher sensitivity as compared to lateral flow and most other rapid assays. The proposed device is a test panel for parallel processing of various sample on the same device, without need of any separate instrument for running the test or detection of results. In this project, bio-recognition element layer of the sensors will be developed at IIT Roorkee. The recombinant proteins required for the development of assay will be cloned and purification process will be optimized at IIT Roorkee. Furthermore the biophysical characterization and protein-protein interactions studies will also be done at IIT Roorkee.

Expected Outcome : Rapid and Instrument-free point of care screening device for SARS-CoV viral infection detection will be developed. This kind of test can be used for surveillance of diseases at airport and major transport hubs among other areas, providing an initial check, identifying nature of infection, and contain spread of said infection.
Expected Timeline : The assay will be developed within 18 months.
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Shailly Tomar , 91-9760239252 , [email protected]

Project Title : We have ventured in to addressing the COVID-19 disease in two ways – A) We are working towards a simple method for visual detection kit for SARS-CoV-2 virus. We propose to do this by combination of RNA to cDNA conversion targeting S and ORF1ab sequences and selecting aptamer against spike protein of the SARS-COV-2 coat followed by a DNAzyme based isothermal amplification reaction for optical color based detection. The color can be visualized with naked eyes qualitatively and can be turned into quantitative detection using a mobile app based detection system.

Expected Outcome : A method which will complement present q-PCR based method and will obviate realtime PCR machine for detection of COVID-19. After validation on patient samples, the assay can be converted to high-throughput screening assay too. The assay can be optimized for small scale pathology labs with basic PCR testing setups.
Expected Timeline : Diagnostic method - Within six months of the receiving the reagents.
Remarks :
URL :
PI Details : Naveen Kumar Navani, Professor , +91 7088275555 , [email protected]

Project Title : Developing rapid, ultrasensitive biomolecule sensor for detecting coronavirus in individuals.

Expected Outcome : Fast Detection of the Covid-19 virus
Expected Timeline : 1 week
Remarks : Device has been realized primary testing is pending due to logistic difficulty at BARC, Mumbai followed by NIB Pune.
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Shiv Govind Singh, EE dept. , (040) 2301 6079 (O) , [email protected]

Project Title : Working on rapid, affordable, portable SARS-Cov-2 screening kit.

Expected Outcome : Fast Detection of the Covid-19 virus
Expected Timeline : 3 Months
Remarks : NA
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Jyotsnendu Giri, BME dept., and Dr. Hari Krishnan Uni , (040) 2301 7115 (O) , [email protected]

Project Title : Developing a nanobiosensor for rapid and early detection of SARS-CoV-2

Expected Outcome : Fast Detection of the Covid-19 virus
Expected Timeline : 6 Months
Remarks : NA
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Chandrasekhar, CHE dept. and Dr. Anindya, BT dept. , (040) 2301 6112 (O) , [email protected]

Project Title : Rapid Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 using aptamer functionalized Oxygen Microbubbles

Expected Outcome : the outcome of this project will be an easy, rapid and confirmatory test for detection of Coronavirus which can be used screen hundreds of samples daily at the community level. The currently available rapid diagnostic tests can fail or produce false negatives. These tests need to be supplemented through other techniques such as RT-PCR. At times, even RT-PCR cannot be trusted. In such as scenario, the test developed I this work can be used for confirmed detection of virus particles in patients’ samples.
Expected Timeline : 1 year
Remarks : The work has been initiated, and submitted for funding.
URL :
PI Details : Sameer Dalvi and Dhiraj Bhatia

Project Title : Electrochemical Sensor for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on Antibody-Antigen interaction over low-cost screen printed electrodes.

Expected Outcome : Quick and low-cost detection kit for COVID-19.
Expected Timeline : 6 Months
Remarks : Under process and also submitted for funding
URL :
PI Details : Prof. Rajiv Prakash, [email protected]

Project Title : Microfluidic Multiplex Immunoassay devices for Clinical Diagnosis of COVID-19

Expected Outcome : Low-cost detection kit
Expected Timeline : 1 years
Remarks : Proposal Submitted for funding
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Mahto, [email protected]

Project Title : IIT Palakkad is aiming to develop a low-cost test kit for the rapid screening of COVID-19 patients. We are particularly interested in constructing a paper strip-based visual testing method that can be used at point-to-care analysis in a community setting. The testing method that we intend to develop is based on an immunoassay involving the antibody-viral antigen recognitions. The basic concept of immunoassay-based testing is similar to how a pregnancy test works. We first prepare a filter paper-based test-strips coated with specific antibodies that selectively recognize the COVID-19 viral proteins. Before this, the antibodies are functionalized with gold nanoparticles that indicate COVID-19 infected person through visual colour changes from red to blue or grey depending on the conditions. This testing method is very specific and one full test can be run within ~10-15 minutes.

Expected Outcome : The expected outcome is to develop affordable, easy to operate testing kit in large numbers for the rapid screening of COVID-19 patients.
Expected Timeline : 3-4 Months
Remarks : The process already initiated, and a joint proposal submitted for funding.
URL :
PI Details : Dr. Shanmugaraju Sankarasekaran , +91-4923226347 , [email protected]

Project Title : Development of low-cost, portable rapid diagnostic Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensor kit for detection of COVID-19 molecular targets

Expected Outcome : A prototype portable SPR sensor unit, which can perform direct and rapid testing of COVID-19 molecular targets with very high sensitivity.
Expected Timeline : 9 to 11 months
Remarks : If the proposed equipments and materials in the project is able to purchase within 3-4 months from the date of approval and sanctioning of budget, we assure to deliver the SPR sensor kit within the above-mentioned timeline.
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Prof. M. Rakesh Singh (PI) and Prof. Jaisingh T. (Co-PI) , +91-8877168602 , [email protected]

Project Title : Detecting and understanding COVID-19 at an early-stage: Microrobot assisted SERS based platform

Expected Outcome : 1. A highly sustainable and affordable microfluidic platform for rapid and reliable detection of COVID- 19. 2. Early stage detection will be possible. 3. Platform for fundamental characterization of COVID-19 4. Study of COVID-19 under different, controlled environments using optical imaging and spectroscopic mapping. 5. COVID-19 virus will be evaluated for the development of novel therapeutic methods.
Expected Timeline : 24 Month
Remarks : Submitted under a joint call ‘COVID-19’ of DBT and BIRAC
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Dr. Dhruv Pratap Singh Co PIs : Dr. Sesha Vempati (IIT Bhilai), Dr. Raghavender Medishetty (IIT Bhilai), Dr. S. S. Negi (AIIMS Raipur), Mr. K. Sharma (AIIMS Raipur) , 9528121901 , [email protected]

Project Title : Development of a low-cost on-chip PCR (polymerase chain reaction) platform for rapid nucleic acid based disease diagnosis (COVID-19).

Expected Outcome : on-chip PCR platform
Expected Timeline : 36 Months
Remarks : Project proposal submitted to SERB under IRHPA COVID-19 special call
URL :
Additional Info
PI Details : Vijay S Duryodhan (IIT Bhilai), Prof. Shiv Govind Singh (IIT Hyderabad) and Prof. Amit Agrawal (IIT Bombay) , +91-9987209911 , [email protected]