3D-printed droplet-based microfluidic sensor based on ion beam-induced graphitic electrodes on diamond for dopamine detection

Abstract

Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter in the human body, mainly in the brain. It plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological functions such as mood regulations and it is crucial for reinforcing behaviors linked to pleasure and survival. Variation of its concentration is a reason for numerous neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease which makes its detection vital for early diagnosis and drug screening. Detecting dopamine, however, comes with its own set of challenges, particularly due to the necessity for methods that are highly sensitive and specific. This paper reports an improved method for the detection of exocytotic events from dopaminergic neurons by merging the electrochemical properties of the ion beam induced graphitic electrodes on diamond and the capabilities of a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer to produce a droplet-based microfluidic biosensor.