Collaborators to Develop Smart Consumables for a Novel Label-Free Biological Imaging System

A newly reported collaboration brings together the manufacturer of a novel system for biological image analysis and a large international developer and marketer of dedicated consumable products.

Maven Biotechnologies (Monrovia, CA, USA), manufacturer of the Label-Free Internal Reflection Ellipsometry (LFIRE) image analysis system has formally announced the establishment of a collaborative agreement with Sony DADC BioSciences (Salzburg, Austria), the biotech component of the international conglomerate Sony.

The basis of LFIRE is ellipsometry, a technique that measures changes in the polarization of light upon reflection from the interface between materials. This measurement provides optical properties of thin layers of materials at the interface, namely the thickness or mass. Capable of detecting atom-scale changes in thickness or mass, ellipsometry is well established in the semiconductor industry for quality control analysis of silicon wafers.

LFIRE allows for the precise, real-time measurements of specific interactions between molecular entities in a microarray or well-plate format. These molecular entities can be proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, small molecules such as drugs or steroids, or even whole cells. As a “label-free” detection system, it avoids alterations of the molecules from the labeling procedures used in fluorescent systems and directly reduces labor and materials costs associated with tagging. As a “real-time” system, it monitors reactions as they happen, providing information about a sample before and after equilibrium. This additional information is necessary for increasing the dynamic range of concentration measurements, optimizing biological assays, and analyzing kinetic activity critical to drug research.

Sony intends to boost the market for the LFIRE system by contributing its experience in high-precision manufacturing as well as its mass production capability and supply chain expertise.

“The collaboration with Maven provides a perfect example of how we can translate our experience in microstructured engineering, gained through our pioneering optical disc work, to the needs of the life sciences industry,” said Dr. Ali Tinazli, a director of business development and sales at Sony DADC. “We are particularly pleased to work with Maven at such an early stage, which ensures solutions that will be scalable and traceable, to smooth the way to future regulatory approvals in the clinical space. The product is an advanced polymer slide that can be produced in mass quantities and still guarantee high optical quality.”

Jeffrey Chongsathien, chief engineering officer at Maven Biotechnologies, said, “We are excited to be working with Sony DADC to develop innovative consumables for our LFIRE platform. With Sony DADC's expertise in creating highly scalable and sophisticated optical media, we ensure that our customers will receive the maximum benefits of using LFIRE technology and at a lower cost per data point.”

Related Links:
Maven Biotechnologies
Sony DADC BioSciences