Mar. 9, 2006 – Dimatix, a provider of commercial and industrial ink jet products, announced that its researchers, in conjunction with several universities, have used its cartridge-based Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) system to ink jet fluids containing fluorescently labeled proteins, enzyme mixes, genomic DNA, oligonucleotides, and living bacteria and yeast.

Through these experiments, the DMP, a system for high-precision jetting of functional fluids, has shown proven repeatability in printing aqueous, emulsion and solvent-based fluids.

“We’re making major advances in ink jetting biofluids through the work we’ve been doing with the DMP at several universities,” said Jan Sumerel, manager of biomedical sciences, in a prepared statement.

Dimatix’s DMP-2800 series printer can deposit 10 picoliter-sized droplets of fluid to print feature sizes as small as 40 microns on any type of surface, including plastic, glass, silicon, membranes, gels and paper. With the piezo ink jet deposition system, users can array biological fluids including buffers and reagents. Because of the unique single-use cartridge based system, the company says, cross contamination between samples is eliminated.

Mar. 9, 2006 – FEI Co. of Hillsboro, Ore., and Sweden-based Sidec Technologies AB announced that the two companies will collaborate on the commercialization of protein tomography solutions and services based on Sidec’s proprietary software and intellectual property, and FEI’s transmission electron microscopes.

Protein tomography is a new technology developed to address critical issues around drug target validation and translational medicine in the pharmaceutical industry, improving target validation processes and shortening development time for new pharmaceuticals.

FEI has developed cryo electron microscopy for the imaging of biological structures in close collaboration with many top level academic groups in Europe and the U.S. Sidec is very active in the field of protein imaging using cryo electron tomography and has several research collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies.

Mar. 8, 2006 — BioForce Nanosciences Inc. has become a publicly traded company following its recently announced acquisition by Silver River Ventures Inc., now known as BioForce Nanosciences Holdings Inc. (OTC.BB: BFNH). BioForce will operate as the wholly owned subsidiary of BFNH.

The agreement was contingent upon the receipt of $2.5 million in escrow funds prior to the finalization of the acquisition process. The company said that the possibility exists for additional private placement capital and a secondary offering is anticipated for late 2006.

BioForce’s cornerstone technology is known as the NanoArrayer System. It is a biomolecular printing tool intended to impact the arena of cell biology with applications in molecular and cellular detection in a variety of clinical and non-clinical installations. Other products include the ViriChip System, the company’s proprietary ultra-micro detection system for viruses, and consumable printing tools and print surfaces, including proprietary SPT Surface Patterning Tools and Sindex Chips.

“BioForce has followed the tried and true model of beginning with a vision, then working for funding through grants, seed capital and other sources to fund research on nascent technology,” said Eric Henderson, who founded the company and continues to work as chief executive officer and chief science officer. “After 11 years, we are now reaching our long-term goal of bringing the first wave of new and innovative products to market.”

Mar. 8, 2006 – Nanomaterials company Nanophase Technologies (Nasdaq: NANX) and Roche Diagnostics have entered into a long-term supply agreement, Nanophase announced this week. Nanophase, a Romeo, Ill.-based company that which specializes in nanomaterials and nanoengineered products, will provide Roche Diagnostics with nanoparticles for a medical diagnostics application through 2014. Additional material terms of the agreement are confidential.

Mar. 8, 2006 – Global Crown Capital LLC, a boutique investment firm, announced the launch of a nanotechnology hedge fund and venture fund in the U.S.

The fund is designed to serve as an investment tool for accredited investors to capitalize on short and long term growth in companies in a broad range of industries involved in nanotech-related activities.

The primary focus of the fund is to invest in public nanotechnology companies worldwide. The companies traded in the fund will be supported by research by the company’s analyst team.

Mar. 8, 2006 – BioTrove Inc. completed its latest fund raising by closing an additional $7 million in an oversubscribed round of venture capital funding, the Woburn, Mass.-based company reported today. The latest round brings the total amount raised since July 2005 to $15 million. Participating investors include Catalyst Health and Technology Partners, Echelon Ventures, Fletcher Spaght, and CB Health Ventures. The proceeds of this round will accelerate the commercialization of BioTrove’s genomics and pharmaceutical screening products.

Mar. 7, 2006 – Hygrometrix of Alpine, Calif., announced the first product in its new HMX3000 transmitter line, the HMX3000-RH-420.

The company says the device was specifically designed to provide better performance at a lower cost. It is intended for customers who want to replace or update older humidity transmitters in clean rooms, factories, greenhouses and other locations.

Hygrometrix says the transmitter provides better than 2 percent accuracy across the measurement range and full temperature compensation for span and offset. It has full digital calibration and no user adjustments or setup is required.

The HMX3000 uses Hygrometrix’s Hygrotron MEMS-based sensor, which uses a proprietary technique called Shear Stress/Strain hygrometry to measure humidity. By converting humidity to voltage mechanically, the device avoids many of the failure modes that plague sensor technologies.

The HMX3000-RH-420 is priced in single unit quantities at $475. Volume discounts are available for 5, 10 and 20 unit orders.