| abstract |
The present invention provides systems and methods for determining enzymatic competency, which is important in determining whether a patient may suffer an adverse drug reaction, has a disease associated with defects in specific enzymatic function, and/or has an enzyme defect that is likely to cause pathophysiology. As contemplated herein, a parent molecular entity is administered to a patient in whom enzymatic competency is to be determined. A sample of the patient’s bodily fluid is exposed to a sensor of the invention to distinguish, detect, and quantify a detectable entity in the bodily fluid. Sensor-acquired data regarding the detectable entity is used to determine enzymatic competency. Preferably, a sample of a patient’s exhaled breath is collected and exposed to the sensor of the invention. Types of sensor systems of the invention include, but are not limited to, surface resonance arrays; microelectromechanical sensors (such as microcantilever-based technology); molecularly imprinted polymer sensors; amplifying fluorescent sensor technology; aptamer-based sensor technology; SAW sensors; infrared sensors; fuel cells; chemical reactors; and pH sensitive sensors. |