A Simple Dipstick to Detect Cotinine in Urine

This Phase I award looks at the feasibility of developing a simple dipstick device that could be used without costly instrumentation, and by persons with minimal training, to detect cotinine in urine. The work will produce prototype devices based on wicking of a sample along and through a membrane. Urine sample will be introduced to the device and allowed to migrate up through a membrane strip. The pattern of color development at a reading zone will be observed after 5 minutes. The pattern of color development will be an indication of the concentration of cotinine in the sample. The dipstick will be a simple one-step assay for cotinine that could be used to compliment self-reporting of smoking habits, compliance in smoking cessation programs, for estimating human health risk, and for epidemiological studies.