Novel Biosensor to Detect Fentanyl Exposure
University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel biosensor for the detection of fentanyl exposure. Built using a carbon nanotube-based field-effect transistor (FET) this biosensor can reliably detect the presence of norfentanyl, the primary inactive metabolite of fentanyl, in body fluid with a limit of detection (LOD) estimated in the fg/mL region and a five-minute response time. Development of these highly sensitive biosensors could allow for rapid detection of both the presence of fentanyl and the relative threat posed to the patient. This biosensor has a real potential to save the lives of thousands of overdose victims and improve the safety and security of first responders and medical staff.
Description
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50–100 times more potent than morphine and the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl can cause difficulty in breathing leading to death and viewed by the CDC as a major public health crisis. The presence of fentanyl as an adulterant in other illicit drugs including heroin and cocaine also contributes to inadvertent overdose risk in many illicit drug users. To better identify patients most at risk of fentanyl overdose there is a pressing need for rapid, highly sensitive, portable, and inexpensive approaches to identify the presence of fentanyl in body fluids. This novel semiconductor-enriched (sc-) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based FET biosensor has the potential to meet this need and detect fentanyl exposure at point-of-care.Applications
• Detection of fentanyl exposure• Point-of-care diagnostics
• Opioid crisis intervention
• Public health monitoring
Advantages
Current analytical methods to detect fentanyl exposure are generally mass spectrometry-based and require specialist equipment and training. These requirements make the techniques inaccessible at the point-of-care, costly and time consuming. Additionally, electrochemical methods are not suitable for fentanyl detection due to the redox activity of norfentanyl.This novel biosensor uses sc-SWCNT FET technology functionalized with norfentanyl antibodies and can selectively detect norfentanyl even in the presence of other opiates. These biosensors can be fabricated with a flexible FET electrode making them ideal for use as a portable device to detect fentanyl exposure.