August 29, 2008: BioForce Nanosciences Holdings, Inc., a developer of systems integration at the micro- and nanoscales to create products for the life sciences, has entered into a collaboration agreement with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the U. at Albany, through which faculty, scientists, and researchers at CNSE will utilize BioForce’s Nano eNabler molecular printer for the development and evaluation of novel applications.
The UAlbany NanoCollege is dedicated to education, research, development, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex, a $4.2B, 450,000-sq. ft megaplex, has attracted more than 250 global corporate partners.
Dr. Nathaniel Cady, assistant professor of nanobioscience at CNSE, will lead the research efforts in collaboration with assistant professor of nanobioscience Dr. Magnus Bergkvist. Work will focus on the development of novel polymeric surface patterning tools (SPTs) for the direct printing of live cells. These tools are the microfluidic dispensers used by the Nano eNabler to print materials on a surface. A secondary goal will be to evaluate and optimize the Nano eNabler system for printing molecules onto a variety of surface materials.
“The CNSE is one of the most impressive nanotech facilities I have ever visited, and we are thrilled to be working with them,” said BioForce product manager Michael Lynch. “Professor Cady’s exciting work is expanding the applications universe for the Nano eNabler system, and we look forward to bringing those advances to the life science market. A number of potential customers have inquired about the capability to directly print bacteria and eukaryotic cells with the Nano eNabler, and Dr. Cady’s technology could make that a reality.”
Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, CEO/SVP of CNSE, added that through this effort, “CNSE will further expand its growing educational and research initiatives in the field of nanobioscience, which promises exciting new advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a myriad of diseases in the 21st century.”
Bovine capillary endothelial cells patterned in the shape of a heart using the Nano eNabler System. (Source: BioForce Nanosciences; image courtesy of Harvard Medical School/Children’s Hospital)