INST Mohali develops iron-MOF nanosphere sensor that glows to detect nicotine and cotinine
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, have developed a fluorescent 'turn-on' sensor made of iron metal-organic framework nanospheres that detects nicotine and its metabolite cotinine in water and living cells, the DST said on 15 April 2026.
Summary
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a fluorescent 'turn-on' sensor for nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine, DST said on 15 April 2026. The sensor uses iron (Fe-III) metal-organic framework (MOF) nanospheres made by a solvothermal process; their pores trap nicotine or cotinine, making the nanospheres glow brighter with a shift towards blue. It works in aqueous media and living cells, is selective and recyclable, and the work was reported in the journal Nanoscale. Cotinine is a stable biomarker of nicotine exposure found in blood, saliva and urine, and conventional methods such as GC-MS, HPLC and immunoassays are costly and need skilled operators.
Key facts
- Institute
- INST Mohali (autonomous institute of DST)
- Material
- Iron (Fe-III) metal-organic framework nanospheres, solvothermal synthesis
- Detects
- Nicotine and its metabolite cotinine
- Signal
- 'Turn-on' fluorescence – brighter, blue-shifted
- Journal
- Nanoscale
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The nicotine sensor developed at INST Mohali is based on which material?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Iron metal-organic framework nanospheres
DST says the sensor uses iron (Fe-III) metal-organic framework nanospheres.
Consider the following statements about the INST Mohali nicotine sensor: 1. Cotinine, which the sensor also detects, is a stable biomarker of nicotine present in blood, saliva and urine. 2. The sensor is a 'turn-off' type whose fluorescence weakens when nicotine binds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it is a 'turn-on' sensor; the nanospheres glow brighter when nicotine or cotinine enters their pores.