The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) has reached a deal with Plasmonix, Inc. that grants the company license to its metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF)patents. The agreement stipulates that Plasmonix creates a new spin-off company located in Maryland.
MEF technology dramatically increases the sensitivity and speed of a broad range of diagnostic and biological assays for DNA and for proteins. It has multiple applications in clinical diagnostics and homeland security.
One real world application of MEF technology will detect the elevated enzymes associated with a heart attack in 20 seconds as a patient is transported via ambulance to the hospital. From a security perspective, it can be used to rapidly detect minute amounts of biohazard agents.
The new company will be dedicated to bringing the MEF technology developed by UMBI's Institute of Flourescence to the marketplace.
"MEF is a major breakthrough for biological diagnostics and the spin-off of Plasmonix is just one example of the ways that UMBI addresses important human needs by bringing new technologies from the laboratory bench to the marketplace," says Dr. Jonathan Gottlieb, director of Technology Transfer and Commercialization for UMBI.