The University of Notre Dame has awarded an exclusive license to the privately held biotech company Molecular Targeting Technologies Inc. (MTTI) of West Chester, PA, for sensing technology developed by Bradley Smith, PhD, Emil T. Hofman professor of chemistry and biochemistry. The technology can selectively target dead and dying mammalian cells as well as bacteria. When the targeting component is attached to a fluorescent probe, it has been successfully used to target mammary and prostate tumors and bacterial infection in mice. “This unique probe has the potential to image cell death as a means to intervene early in diseases and rapidly determine the effectiveness of treatments,” Smith says. “Imaging of cell death is broadly useful for treatment of numerous conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, neurology, renal diseases and even transplant rejection.”
The targeting probe can be used for in vitro applications as well as for in vivo molecular imaging. “We believe this technology has the potential to target myocardial ischemia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and bacterial infections,” says Chris Pak, president and CEO of MTTI, which develops medical imaging products for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Initially, MTTI will launch a range of fluorescent versions of the phosphatidylserine (PS) targeting molecule for research applications. Products are expected to be available in spring 2010 under the name PSVue.
Source: Inside INdiana Business