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Modified Nanoparticles for Lipophilic Toxin Sequestration

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
F10B-T24-0250 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AF10-BT24 		Solicitation Number:
2010.B
Small Business Information
AuraSense, LLC
1801 Maple Avenue, Suite 4301 Evanston, IL -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Modified Nanoparticles for Lipophilic Toxin Sequestration
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9550-11-C-0092
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

ABSTRACT: Mycotoxins are a class of weaponizable toxic secondary metabolites of molds and fungi. No treatments exist for exposure to these lipophilic poisons. AuraSense proposes to use lipid and protein modified gold nanoparticles to develop constructs for the sequestration of toxic lipophilic molecules. Nanoparticles are ideal materials for development of such a system, as they are able to be finely tuned in terms of their size, molecular composition, surface charge, and interfacial properties. In addition, we have demonstrated in preliminary work that they are nontoxic, and have a proven ability to avidly bind lipophilic molecules. Due to the difficulty of working with mycotoxins, cholesterol will be used as a model system to demonstrate sequestration from cell membranes. BENEFIT: AuraSense"s nanoparticle constructs have great potential as effective agents for transporting lipophilic toxins, such as mycotoxins, safely out of the body. AuraSense nanoparticle technology has been developed in numerous proof-of-concept applications and has been the subject of consistent commercial interest to date. This platform stands to significantly advance defense alternatives in combating lipophilic toxins. While broadly applicable in a number of therapeutic areas, AuraSense"s nanoparticle platforms are highly relevant to the Biodefense market.

Principal Investigator:

Weston Daniel
Research Scientist
(847) 467-2874
wdaniel@aurasense.com

Business Contact:

Percy V. Crocker
VP Commercial Development
(847) 467-2874
pcrocker@aurasense.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

AuraSense, LLC
1801 Maple Avenue, Suite 4301 Evanston, IL -

EIN/Tax ID: 264171829
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Northwestern University
300 E Superior Street, 16-703
Dept of Urology, Tarry Bldg
Chicago, IL 60611-
Contact: C. S. Thaxton
Contact Phone: (312) 908-8145