In vitro adenosine detection with a diamond-based sensor

Diamond-based electrodes promise major advantages over present electrode technologies used in biomedical research. To demonstrate these advantages, boron-doped diamond microelectrodes were developed for in vitro detection of adenosine, an important neuromodulator in the central nervous system. Diamond was selectively deposited as part of a unique fabrication strategy to obtain non-planar, needle-like diamond microelectrodes. Preliminary flow injection analysis showed quantified adenosine down to 10 nM, a lower level than the estimated basal adenosine level in vivo, and lower than what is achieved on other electrode materials. As an example of in vitro application, the diamond probe was used to investigate the role of adenosine in respiratory rhythmogenesis (i.e., the modulation of one's breathing rate).