We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
ZeptoMetrix an Antylia scientific company

Download Mobile App




AI-Powered Raman Spectroscopy Method Enables Rapid Drug Detection in Blood

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Feb 2025

Accurately monitoring drug levels in the blood is essential for effective treatment, particularly in the management of cardiovascular diseases. More...

Traditional techniques for monitoring blood drug levels often face interference from serum biomolecules, requiring extensive sample processing. Conventional methods, such as liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS), involve complex sample preparation and laboratory settings, which limits their efficiency in clinical practice. However, a new study introduces an alternative: a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based platform, enhanced with "molecular hooks" and powered by artificial intelligence (AI)-driven spectral analysis. This innovative approach offers a rapid, highly sensitive, and selective method for detecting drugs in the blood, with significant potential for personalized medicine. The combination of SERS and AI provides a new level of sensitivity in diagnostic medicine.

The newly developed SERS-based approach was the result of collaborative research by scientists from Harbin Medical University (Harbin, China) and the University of Oulu (Oulu, Finlandi). It overcomes the challenges of traditional blood drug monitoring by using self-assembled silver nanoparticles functionalized with an A13 molecule. This "molecular hook" selectively binds small drug molecules while excluding larger biomolecules like hemoglobin, ensuring accurate analyte detection. The study, published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, demonstrated the technique by detecting two cardiovascular drugs—dobutamine hydrochloride and milrinone—commonly used in the treatment of acute heart failure. The method achieved detection limits as low as 10 pg/mL for dobutamine hydrochloride and 10 ng/mL for milrinone, well below their therapeutic thresholds, making it one of the most sensitive non-invasive drug detection techniques available.

The platform enhances Raman signals by creating dense electromagnetic "hotspot" regions. When calcium ions are introduced, the nanoparticles aggregate, further intensifying these hotspots and boosting the drug-specific Raman signals. To ensure precision and efficiency, the researchers integrated AI, allowing for automated spectral analysis that minimizes human error and speeds up the detection process. Advanced characterization techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to confirm the uniformity and stability of the nanoparticles. The researchers found that the "molecular hook" substrate maintained high SERS activity for at least five days, ensuring its reliability for clinical use. Further validation experiments comparing the new method with conventional techniques showed that the SERS-based platform provided superior selectivity and sensitivity. Even in complex biological samples, the technique successfully differentiated dobutamine hydrochloride from other compounds, generating a clear Raman fingerprint.

This advancement holds significant promise for personalized medicine. By enabling real-time monitoring of drug concentrations, clinicians can tailor treatments with greater precision, reducing the risk of under- or overdosing. This is especially crucial for patients with cardiovascular conditions, where the efficacy and safety of drugs depend heavily on individual metabolic differences. Moreover, the SERS-AI approach could be applied beyond cardiovascular drugs to other therapeutic agents, including antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, psychiatric medications, and diagnostic tests. Future research will focus on broadening the range of detectable substances and refining the AI models for even greater accuracy. The integration of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with molecular hook technology and AI represents a paradigm shift in clinical diagnostics, offering rapid, precise, and minimally invasive drug detection. This method could revolutionize patient care, paving the way for more effective and personalized treatment strategies.

“The combination of SERS technology and AI significantly improves drug monitoring accuracy and speed, paving the way for real-time clinical applications,” the study authors reported.

Related Links:
Harbin Medical University
University of Oulu


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Gold Member
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Urine Drug Test
Instant-view® Phencyclidine Urine Drug Test
New
Varicella Zoster Test
ZEUS ELISA Varicella Zoster IgG Test System
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: New biomarkers could someday make it easy to spot Parkinson’s disease in a patient’s blood sample (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Unique Blood-Based Genetic Signature Can Diagnose Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is primarily recognized for its impact on the central nervous system. Recent scientific progress has shifted focus to understanding the involvement of the immune system in the onset... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Custom hardware and software for the real-time detection of immune cell biophysical signatures in NICU (Photo courtesy of Pediatric Research, DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-03952-y)

First-Of-Its-Kind Device Profiles Newborns' Immune Function Using Single Blood Drop

Premature infants are highly susceptible to severe and life-threatening conditions, such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Newborn sepsis, which is a bloodstream infection occurring in the... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The innovative doublet configuration and annular illumination overcome traditional metalens limitations (Photo courtesy of Tao Li and Jiacheng Sun/Nanjing University)

High-Resolution Metalens Doublet Microscope to Enhance Diagnostic Capabilities

Metalenses mark a groundbreaking leap in optical technology. Unlike traditional microscope objectives that rely on curved glass surfaces, metalenses utilize nanoscale structures to manipulate light at... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Concept of biosensor integrated into hygiene pads enabling direct semi-quantitative analysis of biomarkers in unprocessed menstruation blood (Photo courtesy of Dosnon, L et al. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202505170)

First Ever Technology Recognizes Disease Biomarkers Directly in Menstrual Blood in Sanitary Towels

Over 1.8 billion people menstruate worldwide, yet menstrual blood has been largely overlooked in medical practice. This blood contains hundreds of proteins, many of which correlate with their concentration... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.