Advanced technologies for microsampling of biological matrices coupled to reliable instrumental analysis are becoming significantly mature and consolidated for widespread application in a wide range of settings in the field of forensic and clinical toxicology. In fact, there is a growing interest in the implementation of miniaturised approaches for the determination of prescription drugs, illicit drugs and relevant metabolites in biological samples involved in pharmaco-toxicological and forensic scenarios. This interest stems from the advantages of sampling minute amounts of biomatrices, particularly for those bioanalytical investigations performed in delicate populations, such as illicit drug users. Moreover, these technologies simplify sampling in hard-to-reach locations and in point-of-care settings. Finally, they enable feasible, straight-forward and high-throughput analytical protocols [1].
This lecture gives a comprehensive insight into the landscape of the latest and advanced strategies in analytical method development and validation, providing analytical recommendations and presenting several proof-of-concept applications. A panel of novel, miniaturised protocols have been designed for the analysis of classical drugs of abuse, new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as misused and abused prescription drugs. [2] These cutting-edge microsampling technologies include capillary volumetric microsampling, volumetric absorptive technologies and microfluidic platforms. [3] Advanced microsampling allows feasible, yet volumetrically accurate sample collection, supporting subject/patient-centric approaches in decentralised point-of-care testing scenarios, while ensuring subject compliance, sample integrity, a solid chain of custody and feasible, yet effective analytical workflows. Moreover, feasible and automated sample handling protocols are included in the preanalytical steps, featuring high throughput and low impact thanks to the miniaturisation of the whole workflow and reduced use of organic solvents. [4] Insights will be provided for effective and comprehensive design, development and evaluation of the microsampling approaches, including sample collection, extraction and clean-up steps in order to establish solid protocols with high applicability. The peculiarities, advantages and challenges of microsampling procedures and techniques will be described to guide analytical and forensic scientists towards the most suitable miniaturisation options for different frameworks.
Literature: [1] C. Marasca, et al. Front. Psychiatry. 2022, 13, 794609. [2] M. Protti, et al. Talanta. 2023, 257, 124332. [3] J. Millán-Santiago, et al. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2023, 236, 115740. [4] V. Londhe, et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2020, 182, 113102.
