Development of multiplexed electrochemical devices for illicit drug analysis and doping tests

• Grant number: 25/03729-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Campos Janegitz
• Grantee: Amanda Neumann
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Araras , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The application of medicine in the sports field has facilitated the athlete's recovery. With new medications, some athletes have begun to undergo procedures or treatments for better physical and mental performance according to the sport they practice. In this context, organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), were created to develop and apply regulations to preserve the athlete's health and provide sporting equity. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, responsible for the current WADA regulations, some substances can be considered as doping, including stimulants, such as ephedrine and modafinil, and synthetic drugs or drugs in a trial period and controlled by health agencies, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoids, isonitaceno, and ketamine, respectively. For this control, it is necessary to use low-cost and fast devices with a low sample quantity analysis, to facilitate testing during competitions. Paper-based analytical devices are an interesting alternative to detect these analytes. Therefore, this doctoral project proposes the development of multiplexed, and/or hyphenated paper sensors focused on electrochemical detections, colorimetric and/or utilizing surface-amplified Raman spectroscopy for illicit drugs detection and doping control. (AU)