Biochip Array Screens for 10 Additional Drugs of Abuse

A new biochip array has been released that simultaneously screens for 10 drugs of abuse (DoA) in a single urine sample.

The release of the biochip DoA II array follows the success of the DoA array I, which screens for barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and cannabinoids. The DoA II array screens for a group of 10 different drugs including opioid analgesics such as fentanyl, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), methaqualone, and ecstasy.

Each 9 x 9-mm biochip contains an array of 10 discrete test regions of immobilized antibodies specific to different DoAs. A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera detects the chemiluminescent signal generated by each test region and advanced image-processing software reads all 10 test results simultaneously. Both DoA array I and II include an eleventh test, creatinine, to identify adulterated urine samples. Three different biochips are designed for DoA Array I, each optimized for a different matrix: blood, urine, and oral fluid. The DoA Array II simultaneously tests for 10 DoAs in urine, but not yet in blood or oral fluid.

The biochips are products of Randox (Crumlin, UK), an international diagnostics company. Randox develops, manufactures, and markets clinical diagnostic products worldwide. Using biochip analyzer technology Randox developed two instruments--the fully automated Evidence analyzer was designed for high throughput labs, and the semi-automated Evidence investigator for lower throughput labs and research.


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