Illicit drugs and metabolites quick screening by innovative biomimetic sensors
– Drug-Scan-
- Funding: Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI), www.uefiscdi.ro
- Programme: PN-IV-RU-SC-TE-2023-1, Human Resources Programme – “Research projects to stimulate young independent teams (TE)” 2023
- Project registration code: PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-1293
- Research domain – Materials Science
- Project title: “Illicit drugs and metabolites quick screening by innovative biomimetic sensors” – Drug-Scan
- Financing contract: Nr. 40TE/08.01.2025
- Total funding of the contract: 500.000 RON
- Funding from the State Budget: 500.000 RON
- Project duration: 24 months
- Period of project implementation: 08.01.2025 –31.12.2026
- Contractor: National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry– ICECHIM Bucharest (www.icechim.ro)
- Project Manager: CS I PhD eng. Ana-Mihaela GAVRILĂ (), Team 1 -Advanced polymer materials and polymer recycling
PROJECT SUMMARY
Worldwide, illicit drug and metabolites use and abuse has wide-ranging impacts on security, environmental and public health, becoming a major problem in the modern society. Hence, a novel perspective is important for the effective monitoring of illegal drugs using highly sensitive detection sensors. Cocaine is a natural alkaloid cultivated widely in the Amazonian region being the Europe’s second most commonly used illicit stimulant drug with an estimated retail market value of 10 billion euros. In this respect, the project Drug-Scan unravel its original contribution by developing new generation of cost-effective biomimetic sensors for the quantitative and fast screening of 5 different illicit drugs and metabolites (cocaine and major metabolites benzoylecgonine and ecgoninemethylester, codeine, methamphetamine) in biological samples (saliva or urine). The project relies on a recognition phase based on the preparation and incorporation of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles selective for cocaine into sol-gel matrices to obtain sensitive films. Further, the cocaine films will be deposited onto gold nanoparticulated graphene-screen printed electrodes. The functionality and versatility (selectivity studies of drugs and metabolites) of the optimized sensors will be proved. The specific output of the project will lead to: 3 ISI papers, 6 communications, website (during project implementation) and new research themes, performance data, transferable knowledge (after project end).
OBJECTIVES
The goal of Drug-Scan project is developing a new generation of cost-effective biomimetic sensors for the quantitative and fast screening of 5 different illicit drugs and metabolites (cocaine and major metabolites benzoylecgonine and ecgoninemethylester, codeine, methamphetamine) in biological samples (saliva or urine). An original part of the project refers to the preparation and incorporation of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles selective for cocaine into sol-gel matrices to obtain sensitive films, further deposited onto gold nanoparticulated graphene-screen printed electrodes.
The overall goal and objectives of the project Drug-Scan are in line with the strategic objectives of Young Research Teams Competition, namely by (i) obtaining top scientific and technological results, competitive at global level, and (ii) increasing international visibility of Romanian research that will result in innovative and original technologies, having internationally competitive and socio-economic impact, concerning health and life quality ensurance of the population.
ESTIMATED RESULTS
(1) Report on preliminary cocaine molecularly imprinted particles (nanoMIPs) synthesis and characterization; (2) Experimental Models for sensitive cocaine nanoMIPs/sol-gel films; (3) Functional Models of drug-MIP-SPCEs sensors; (4) Validation Report on limit of detection of drug sensors; (5) Report on sensors reproducibility via morpho-structural and electrochemical cocaine and metabolites sensing characteristics; (6) Laboratory Technology for the preparation of drug-MIP-SPCEs sensors; (7) website of Drug-Scan project (during project implementation); (8) 6 scientific communications to national/international symposia/conferences; (9) 1 National Patent application; (10) 1 workshop; (11) 3 ISI Papers (Q1/Q2); (12) new research topics, performance data, transferable knowledge (after project implementation.
Project staff ICECHIM
Name | Position in project | Scientific degree |
|---|---|---|
Gavrila Ana Mihaela | Project Manager | CS I – Scientific Researcher I degree |
Iordache Tanta -Verona | Key-person researcher | CS I – Scientific Researcher I degree |
Chiriac Anita Laura | Member – Researcher | CS I – Scientific Researcher I degree |
Zaharia Anamaria | Member – Researcher | CS I – Scientific Researcher I degree |
Sandu Teodor | Member – Researcher | CS I – Scientific Researcher I degree |
Hosu Ioana Silvia | Key-person / Member -Postdoctoral Researcher | CS II – Scientific Researcher II degre |
Stoica Elena- Bianca | Member -Postdoctoral Researcher | CS III – Scientific Researcher III degree |
Trica Bogdan | Member -Postdoctoral Researcher | CS III – Scientific Researcher III degree |
Miron Andreea | Member – PhD student | CS – Scientific Researcher |
Dumitru Marinela Victoria | Member -Postdoctoral Researcher | CS – Scientific Researcher |
Neblea Iulia Elena | Member – PhD student | CS – Scientific Researcher |
Dolana Sorin | Member – PhD student | CS – Scientific Researcher |
Neagu (Ciurlica) Ana-Lorena | Member – PhD student | CS – Scientific Researcher |
Acknowledgments:
The project coordinator would like to thank the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) for supporting and financing the research activity within the Drug-Scan project
STAGE I/2025
Experiments on preparing sensitive films incorporating cocaine nanoMIPs and deposited on Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE. Optimization of nanoMIP/sol-gel films deposited on Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE-modified electrodes for obtaining drug-MIP-SPCE sensors (Part I).
PERIOD: 08.01.2025-31.12.2025
OBJECTIVES
Activity 1.1 Deposition of Au-NPs on GPH-SPCE using the drop-casting method to obtain modified nanoparticle-decorated Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE surfaces, morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Activity 1.2 Preparation of nanoMIPs and reference NIP series by molecular imprinting and precipitation polymerization in the presence of cocaine as the template molecule. Communication and dissemination activities of the results (1 participation in national/international conferences).
Activity 1.3 Evaluation of the structure, size, and morphology of the nanoMIPs by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission/scanning electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), or DLS and porosimetry experiments (BET). Preparation of extracted nanoMIPs through a cocaine extraction protocol using successive washing procedures (confirmation by UV-Vis spectroscopy).
Activity 1.4 Formulations for the synthesis of nanoMIP/sol-gel films using sol-gel–derived techniques that employ a mixture of organosilane monomers and polyethylene glycol, followed by incorporation of the nanoMIPs into the sol-gel matrix and homogenization with graphite paste, then drop-casting onto the Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE surface. Communication and dissemination activities of the results (1 participation in national/international conferences).
Activity 1.5 Complete morpho-structural characterization of the deposited nanoMIP/sol-gel films through XRD measurements, SEM, and FTIR/RAMAN analyses. Communication and dissemination activities of the results (1 ISI Q1/Q2 paper).
Activity 1.6 Using the proposed formulations, study of the rebinding performance of the nanoMIP/sol-gel–electrode films by CV measurements, from cocaine solutions of known concentrations. Morpho-structural and electrochemical characterization of the reference sensor surfaces (SPCEs) and the modified ones (Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE and drug-MIP-SPCEs) (Part I). Patenting of the original results (1 patent application).
SUMMARY
Within Stage I of the Drug-Scan project, modified layered gold-nanoparticle-decorated graphene-based electrodes Au-NPs/GPH-SPCE were prepared and morphologically inspected by SEM-EDX/mapping, obtained through the drop-casting methodology of commercial gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) onto the GPH-SPCE surface. Two systems of cocaine molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (COC-nanoMIPs) (for simplicity, MIP1 and MIP2) and non-imprinted reference particles (NIP1 and NIP2) were synthesized by precipitation polymerization in acetonitrile, using 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as functional monomers, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linking agent.
Molecular docking simulations between the functional monomers and the template were performed using Autodock 4.2.6; the results supported the hypothesis of non-covalent π–π interactions for the 4-VP–COC system, and electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding for the DMAEMA–COC system, through various clusters formation. To evaluate structure, size, and morphology, the MIP1/MIP2 and NIP1/NIP2 particle systems, as well as the imprinted particles after cocaine extraction (MIP1ex/MIP2ex) and the template molecule COC-HCl, were subjected to comprehensive physico-chemical analysis using FTIR, RAMAN, TEM, SEM, DLS, BET, and UV-VIS.
Two sets of sensitive films incorporating nanoMIPs/NIPs, laboratory-prepared reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and carbon paste in sol-gel matrices were prepared and morpho-structurally characterized, then deposited by drop-casting onto the surface of AuNPs/SPGEs. Structural–compositional, morphological, and textural analyses of both the nanoparticles and the prepared sensitive films confirmed: (i) molecular imprinting with cocaine (additional bands attributed to the tropane structure of cocaine) and the efficiency of the purification/extraction protocol, resulting in specific recognition nanocavities after COC-HCl extraction; (ii) homogeneous, well-defined spherical particles, with micrometric dimensions (MIP1) and nanometric dimensions (~100–500 nm) (MIP2); the presence of bands characteristic of the polymers and the poly(EGDMA) backbone; high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities for MIP1/MIP2; (iii) successful incorporation of the prepared particles and rGO sheets into the organosilane matrix, validating that the modifications carried out on the electrode surfaces were successfully achieved.
Electrochemical characterization of the modified sensor surfaces (drug-MIP/NIP-SPGEs) highlighted higher electrochemically active surfaces for the sensors modified with Au-NPs and imprinted with cocaine; the successive addition of COC-HCl increased the oxidation current, supporting the hypothesis of cocaine rebinding in the active nanocavities.
RESULTS:
- Preliminary research report on the synthesis and characterization of nanoMIPs
- Experimental model for obtaining nanoMIP/sol-gel sensitive films
- Functional model of drug-MIP-SPCE sensors
- Financial and Audit Report
- Drug-Scan project website
- Patent application
- 4 participations in national/international conferences
- 3 ISI Q1 articles.
DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION
The results obtained in Stage I/2025 are in line with the objectives proposed for achieving the project’s goal, having as performance indicators 3 ISI Q1 articles, 4 scientific communications at international conferences with notable visibility, and a patent application.
The exploitation of the research results was achieved through participation in specific scientific events. The Project Director participated in the international conference 4th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM-2025), where she received The Best Poster Prize Award, offered by the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) on 22.05.2025, selected from more than 60 evaluated works, for disseminating the project’s aims and objectives. At ICAM-2025, Ms. Ana-Mihaela Gavrilă participated with the scientific presentation entitled “Molecularly imprinted polymers designed for hazardous compounds detection”, where part of the preliminary results of the Drug-Scan project were presented, namely the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers through precipitation polymerization and sol-gel-derived methods.
The summary and results of Stage I/2025 are available on the Drug-Scan project website, Contract 40TE/2025, Romanian version: https://icechim.ro/project/drugscan-ro/ and English version: https://icechim.ro/project/drugscan-en/. The project website also includes the specific objectives and scope of the project, the project description and team, the expected results and achieved indicators.
1. Gavrilă, A.-M.; Ionită, M.; Toader, G. Recent Advances in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Emerging Polymeric Technologies for Hazardous Compounds. Polymers 2025, 17, 1092. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17081092, WOS:001476145000001, Q1 Article
2. Toader, G., Aldrigo, M., Iordănescu, S., Mocanu, A., Brincoveanu, O., Romanitan, C., Rotariu, T., Moldovan, A., Trica, B., Gavrila, A.M., Rusen, E., Diacon, A., Photopolymerized low-swelling hydrogels incorporating Mo-MXenes for EMI shielding applications, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsamd.2025.100938, Journal of Science: Advanced Materials and Devices 10 (2025) 100938, WOS:001528442500001, Q1 Article
3. Toader, G., Diacon, A., Aldrigo, M., Iordanescu, S., Mocanu, A., Brincoveanu, O., Romanitan, C., Rotariu, T., Iorga, O., Gavrila, A.M., Tiganescu, T.-V. Rusen, E., Polyurethane coatings reinforced with poly(MMAco-HPMA)@Mo2Ti2AlC3 as flexible EMI shielding solutions, RSC Adv., 2025, 15, 44451, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA05671C Q1 Article
4. Ana-Mihaela Gavrilă, Ana-Lorena Neagu, Adriana Frone, Bianca-Elena Stoica, Andrei Sârbu, Anita-Laura Chiriac, Anamaria Zaharia, Teodor Sandu, Tanța Verona Iordache, Morphology profiles of molecularly imprinted coatings on screen-printed carbon electrodes, Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2025 #RSCPoster Conference on LinkedIn, 4-5 March.
5. Ana Lorena Neagu, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Andreea Miron, Iulia Elena Neblea, Marinela Victoria Dumitru, Hugues Brisset, Horia Iovu, Tanta Verona Iordache, Design of amino-functionalized MIP silica particles for biosensors development with selective recognition of lipopolysaccharides, The 5th International Electronic Conference on Biosensors IECB, 26-28 may 2025, online, sciforum-114707. (poster)
6. Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Ana-Lorena Neagu, Cătălin Zaharia, Petru Epure, Raluca Elena Ginghina, Andrei Sârbu, Bianca-Elena Stoica, Hugues Brisset, Tanta-Verona Iordache, Molecularly imprinted polymers designed for hazardous compounds detection, 4th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM-2025), Best Poster Prize Award from the Jordan University of Science and Technology JUST, Irbid, Jordan, on May 21-24, 2025. (poster)
7. Andrei Sarbu, Tanta Verona Iordache, Ana-Mihaela Gavrila, Anita- Laura Chiriac, Anamaria Zaharia, Teodor Sandu, Ana Lorena Neagu, Bianca Elena Stoica, Carmen Lazau, MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED FILMS FOR BIOMIMETIC SENSORS, International Chemical Engineering and Material Symposium, SICHEM 2025, 6-7 November 2025, ISSN 2537-2254. (poster)
8. Ana-Mihaela Gavrilă, Iulia Elena Neblea, Andrei Sârbu, Tanța-Verona Iordache, Ana-Lorena Neagu, Marinela Victoria Iordănescu, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Teodor Sandu, NANOPARTICULE POLIMERICE IMPRENTATE MOLECULAR CU COCAINĂ ŞI PROCEDEU DE OBŢINERE A ACESTORA, OSIM cu nr. CBI A/00517 din 06.11.2025. (Patent application)
