Th, 1.10.2026 | Original article from: CATRIN / Martina Šaradínová. Monika Klimparová
CATRIN researchers used gold nanostructures to develop highly sensitive methods for detecting very low concentrations of dopamine and serotonin, with potential for personalised diagnostics.Scientists show how gold can improve detection of dopamine and serotonin
CATRIN: Scientists show how gold can improve detection of dopamine and serotonin
Researchers from CATRIN at Palacký University have used gold nanostructures to develop new methods capable of detecting very low concentrations of substances important for the functioning of the human body, including dopamine and serotonin. The results, achieved by researchers from the Nanomaterials in Biomedicine group in collaboration with other colleagues, have significant potential for future rapid, sensitive and personalised diagnostics.
CATRIN: Scientists show how gold can improve detection of dopamine and serotonin
In a study published in Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research, the researchers developed a special “plasmonic paper” coated with gold nanostars. “It enables tears to be collected easily and subsequently analysed for dopamine levels. These levels may be associated with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that is sometimes mistaken for dry eye syndrome,” explained first author Klára Dzurillová.
Plasmonic paper for point-of-care SERS biosensing of dopamine from tears
Klára Gajdošová, Zuzana Chaloupková, Jana Soukupová, Jiří Hošek, Kateřina Poláková, Václav Ranc
Sens. BioSensing Res., 2026, 52, 101026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.101026
licenced under CC-BY 4.0
The second study, published in Microchimica Acta, focused on the simultaneous detection of serotonin and sertraline, a commonly used antidepressant belonging to the SSRI group. The use of SERS technology (surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) made it possible to significantly amplify the signal from the molecules being monitored using a specially modified surface. In this case, the researchers used very small gold nanocones separated by gaps of less than 20 nanometres. These gaps create so-called hot spots, areas where the electromagnetic field is greatly enhanced, making it possible to detect even very small amounts of the target substance.
Precise and simultaneous SERS detection of sertraline and serotonin on large-scale sub-20 nm plasmonic gold nanocone arrays
Klára Gajdošová, Thanh-Lam Bui, Zuzana Chaloupková, S. M. Hossein Hejazi, Radek Zbořil, Štěpán Kment, Václav Ranc & Kateřina Poláková
Microchim. Acta, 2026, 193, 450
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-026-08164-7
licenced under CC-BY 4.0
“Using the new approach, we were also able to detect serotonin and sertraline simultaneously. In the future, the method could therefore make it possible to monitor both the concentration of the antidepressant and serotonin, whose level is affected by the treatment. This could contribute to a more accurate assessment of treatment efficacy and its adjustment to the individual patient,” said corresponding author Kateřina Poláková, Leader of the Nanomaterials in Biomedicine research group.
Both approaches use surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and achieved very low detection limits even in the presence of other substances that can interfere with the measurements.
