Scientists develop electrochemical sensor for hormone detection

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University, in collaboration with researchers from the Czech Republic and India, have developed a new electrochemical sensor designed to simultaneously measure levels of prednisone and prednisolone in biological samples.

The device utilizes a nanocomposite consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon quantum dots. This construction allows for a highly sensitive detection system capable of registering hormone concentrations between four and six nanomoles, with an overall working range of 0.02 to 2.0 micromoles.

Testing on blood serum demonstrated high precision, with accuracy rates between 97 and 102 percent compared to reference methods. The sensor also showed significant durability, retaining over 91 percent of its initial signal after 20 days of use.

Potential applications for this technology include clinical diagnostics, monitoring the efficacy of therapies for inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases, determining precise medication dosages, and detecting doping in athletes.