Electrochemical biosensors
Electrochemical biosensors using Canatu CNT provide >10-fold increased sensitivity in preliminary research in vitro matrices (internal, unpublished data). Exceptional sensitivity unlocks unpresented detection capabilities for new assays.
Electrochemical biosensors for point-of-care analysis
Electrochemical biosensor concepts utilizing Canatu carbon nanotube (CNT) technology have demonstrated a >10-fold higher sensitivity in preliminary research in vitro matrices (internal, unpublished data). Superior sensitivity is made possible by our patented dry deposition technology yielding the most advanced CNTs with incredibly extensive and pristine reaction surface area. This enormous, three-dimensional surface provides many binding sites for biorecognition elements to interact with target analytes, enabling stronger signals even in complex matrices. Exceptional sensitivity unlocks unprecedented detection capabilities for new assays. Furthermore, this technology platform is being developed with the goal to detect severe infections and diseases, such as cancer, at early stages.
Key benefits
- Sensitive: Demonstrated >10x higher sensitivity in research-stage in vitro matrices (internal, unpublished data)
- Versatile: An adaptable platform technology customizable for target analytes of interest
- At scale: Leveraging our proven industrial expertise to scale future medical sensor production to tens of millions of units annually
Watch the video about our CNT biosensor technology
Exceptional sensitivity
Versatile platform technology
Our proprietary click chemistry enables the immobilization of any biorecognition element, including antibodies, DNAs, enzymes, and aptamers, making it a highly adaptable platform technology optimized for various target analytes of interest. In research environments, Canatu technology has shown potential for early-stage cancer investigation by detecting low concentrations of circulating tumor DNA from small model samples.
At scale
Canatu has established infrastructure and expertise to scale manufacturing to tens of millions of components annually. While we have successfully mass-produced carbon nanotube products and sensors for highly demanding industries like automotive since 2015, we are preparing to bring this established industrial scalability to the medical diagnostics market under applicable quality standards. Our patented dry deposition method and electrode patterning process are fully compatible with roll-to-roll production and have been successfully demonstrated at an industrial scale.
Lab on a chip
Simultaneous testing of multiple biomarkers from a single sample is a core objective of our development platform. These analytes can include DNA mutations, pathogens, hormones, and drug molecules. These microfluidic chips will offer high sensitivity, portability, and the capability to perform complex analyses with minimal sample consumption. Multiplex assays can be customized at any sensor design to recognize different target analytes with the same sample.
Download technical overview
We are looking to partner with early-stage development collaborators and frontrunners ready to transform medical diagnostics at the point of care. Download provisional technical capabilities.
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Our latest research with ecosystem partners and academia:
Introduction of an electrochemical point-of-care assay for quantitative determination of paracetamol in finger-prick capillary whole blood samples
Kujala, J.; Wester, N.; Lohela, T. J.; Kurkela, M.; Backman, J.T.; Mikladal B.; Laurila, T.; Koskinen, J.; Lilus, T. O.; Kalso, E. A., British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 89(9), 2933-2938 (2023)
The paracetamol capillary blood concentrations measured with the novel electrochemical ‘point-of-care’ method correlate with the ‘gold standard’ HPLC-MS/MS method in capillary blood.
Rapid industrial scale synthesis of robust carbon nanotube network electrodes for electroanalysis
Leppänen, E et al. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, vol. 896 (2021)
Canatu electrochemical sensors can be produced at industrial scale and reproducibility. We also have the possibility to modify CNT deposition process parameters to alter the electrochemical response, as was demonstrated in this article. These results provide a proof-of-principle that both the sensitivity and selectivity towards analytes-of-interest can be modified by altering the morphology of the SWCNT network.
Real-time selective detection of dopamine and serotonin at nanomolar concentration from complex in vitro systems
Rantataro, S et al. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 115579 (2023)
Canatu SWCNT electrodes show outstanding analytical performance, being capable of simultaneously detecting dopamine and serotonin at nanomolar concentration in the highly fouling culture medium. Analytical performance of our SWCNT electrodes in culture medium is comparable to the performance of other state-of-the-art electrodes in highly clean phosphate buffer, which lacks all the fouling components present in culture medium. Perhaps most importantly, this state-of-the-art analytical performance can now be finally obtained at industrial scale and reproducibility.
The Canatu SWCNT electrodes also demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, as they were able to sustain healthy development of primary midbrain dopaminergic neuron culture. Because of the unique combination of excellent analytical performance and biocompatibility, Canatu SWCNTs are currently the only material capable of being integrated into brain-on-a-chip devices. Furthermore, they could be used for the monitoring of complex in vitro models to facilitate drug discovery and development.
Ascorbic acid does not necessarily interfere with the electrochemical detection of dopamine
Rantataro, S. et al. Sci Rep 12, 20225 (2022)
Electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters is severely complicated by the presence of ascorbic acid. However, this challenge can be eliminated through experimental design in vitro. By utilizing the highly sensitive Canatu SWCNTs, nanomolar detection of dopamine was demonstrated for the first time, as measured directly from the cell culture medium in the presence of ascorbic acid at initially high concentration.
Electrochemical Detection of Oxycodone and Its Main Metabolites with Nafion-Coated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes
Mynttinen, E et al. Analytical Chemistry 92 (12), 8218-8227 (2022)
We developed a disposable, mass-producible Nafion-coated single-walled carbon nanotube sensor and demonstrated, for the first time, selective detection of oxycodone in the presence of its two major metabolites.
Disposable Nafion-Coated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Test Strip for Electrochemical Quantitative Determination of Acetaminophen in a Finger-Prick Whole Blood Sample
Wester, N et al. Analytical Chemistry 92 (19), 13017-13024 (2020)
Our mass-production compatible fabrication process has also been used to develop a quantitative point-of-care sensor for the determination of acetaminophen within the clinically relevant concentration range.
Electrochemical Detection of Morphine in Untreated Human Capillary Whole Blood
Verrinder, E et al. ACS Omega 6 (17), 11563-11569 (2021)
In this work, we demonstrated quantitative electrochemical detection of clinically relevant concentrations of morphine in undiluted and untreated capillary whole blood.
Effect of Electrochemical Oxidation on Physicochemical Properties of Fe-Containing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Verrinder, E et al. ChemElectroChem 6 (17), 11563-11569 (2021)
In this article, we studied how the Fe-nanoparticle oxidation state affects analytical performance of our SWCNT electrodes. Whereas sensitivity towards the detection of analgesics was only marginally affected by the oxidation state, selectivity between paracetamol and morphine could be improved by electrochemical pre-treatment.
Versatile platform technology for detecting any analyte of interest
Canatu’s proprietary click chemistry enables the immobilization of biorecognition elements, including antibodies, DNAs, enzymes, and aptamers, making it a versatile platform technology for detecting any analyte of interest, such as pathogens, hormones, DNA mutations, and drug molecules. Canatu has, for example, demonstrated pre-metastatic cancer detection by analyzing circulating tumor DNA from extremely small blood samples right at the point-of-care.
Multiple disease-specific biomarkers can be tested simultaneously from a small blood sample, enabling rapid results and better patient care.
Exceptionally sensitive electrochemical biosensors
Electrochemical biosensor functions by converting biochemical events into electrical signals. At its core is the electrode, providing stable support for immobilizing biomolecules and facilitating electron movement. Carbon nanotubes stand out as ideal electrodes, thanks to their large and pristine surface area, providing many binding sites for the analytes.
Electrochemical biosensor concepts using Canatu CNT demonstrated over 10x increased sensitivity in preliminary research in vitro matrices (internal, unpublished data). This heightened sensitivity is made possible through our patented dry deposition technology, which produces CNTs with exceptionally pristine and large surface areas. To illustrate this, just one gram of Canatu CNTs boasts a surface area equivalent to that of a soccer field. Large surface provides many binding sites for biorecognition elements to attach with the target analytes. Moreover, the unique three-dimensional carbon structure of CNTs enables robust and reliable attachment of biorecognition elements, resulting in stronger signals even within complex matrices.
Unprecedented sensitivity enables new assays and allows for the early detection of severe diseases and infections, even before their onset.
Our patented click chemistry provides a versatile platform technology for detecting any analyte of interest, including DNA mutations, pathogens, hormones, and drug molecules, offering a unique opportunity to diagnose severe diseases, like cancer, or infections at their earliest stages, saving lives and money. Employing biorecognition elements like DNAs, antibodies, aptamers, and enzymes, click chemistry immobilizes electrodes to specific target analytes, generating electrical signals processed by an electronic system.
The inherently large specific surface area, high electrical conductivity, and tailorable surface chemistry make Canatu CNT an ideal electrode for electrochemical biosensors, offering industry-leading sensitivity.
Electrochemical biosensors for detecting painkiller concentrations
Canatu has collaborated with leading Finnish universities and Helsinki University Hospital to develop electrode strips for point-of-care measurements of painkiller concentrations. In this partnership, test strips capable of quantitatively detecting painkillers, including paracetamol and opioids, have been created. Given the widespread misuse of these medications, they are common causes of poisoning.
The feasibility of these prototype test strips has been evaluated in three early-stage, exploratory clinical research studies, including an initial proof-of-concept study measuring paracetamol (acetaminophen) concentrations. The developed test strips utilize the highly sensitive and repeatable Canatu CNT electrode platform, ensuring a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Regulatory Status Notice: Canatu’s electrochemical biosensor solutions for medical diagnostics are currently in the concept and feasibility development phase. These technology concepts, components, and provisional specifications are intended exclusively for research, evaluation, and co-development partnership purposes. They are not cleared or approved by any regulatory authority for clinical diagnostic use, nor are they commercially available as medical devices. All technical parameters are provisional and subject to verification within design control phases.
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We are looking for a partner for product development and commercialization. If you’re interested in exploring this opportunity further, contact our CTO Ilkka Varjos.
