Development of an electrochemical biosensor for psychoactive metabolites of marijuana

不幸的是，驾驶障碍仍然是一种常见的事件，对加拿大人造成了重大影响。自20世纪80年代中期以来，酒后驾车率一直在稳步下降，部分原因是快速、可靠和便携式呼气酒精检测设备的发展。然而，估计表明，在周末，多达20%的司机因使用娱乐或处方药而受损，目前还没有针对这些药物的实际路边测试。这是一个特别相关的挑战，因为大麻即将在加拿大合法化。这项提议解决了开发路边大麻传感器的迫切需要。该项目将优化的电化学提供的灵敏度与蛋白质工程的精致特异性结合在一起。我们的工业合作伙伴酒精对策系统公司(ACS)在酒精呼气传感器的开发方面处于世界领先地位。开发一种敏感、具体的路边大麻测试将为执法部门提供新的工具，以确保加拿大道路的安全，并将使ACS和加拿大成为这一新兴领域的国际领导者。

Impaired driving remains an unfortunately common occurrence with a major impact on Canadians. The rate of drunk driving has steadily fallen since the mid-1980s, driven in part by the development of rapid, reliable, and portable breath alcohol testing devices. However, estimates suggest that, during weekends, up to 20 percent of drivers are impaired due to the use of recreational or prescription drugs, for which there are currently no practical roadside tests. This is a particularly relevant challenge now due to the impending legalization of marijuana in Canada.This proposal addresses the pressing need to develop a roadside marijuana sensor. The project combines the sensitivity afforded by optimized electrochemistry with the exquisite specificity of protein engineering. Our industrial partner, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (ACS), is a world-leader in the development of alcohol breath sensors. The development of a sensitive, specific roadside test for marijuana would would provide law enforcement with new tools to ensure the safety of Canada's roads and would establish ACS and Canada as an international leader in this emerging sector.