Press Release
MicroFab receives SBIR award from National Institute of Health for the development of an ink-jet based system for membrane protein crystallization.
Plano, Texas (July 1, 2005)
MicroFab Technologies announces the award of a NIH Phase I SBIR program entitled, “Ink-Jet System for Protein Crystallization”. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project has the objective of designing and building a high throughput, inkjet-based system for membrane protein crystallization. The structure of membrane proteins obtained by x-ray crystallography can provide information for computational and structure based drug development. Unfortunately, the crystallization of integral membrane proteins often fails to yield crystals useful for diffraction analysis. The consensus solution to these problems is to decrease protein consumption and narrow the sampling of crystal growth conditions by using smaller screening volumes. An ink-jet based system can be utilized to screen for the initial signs of crystallization of membrane proteins, while maximizing the conservation of limited protein samples.
About the Company
Based in Plano, Texas, MicroFab Technologies has pioneered digital microdispensing technologies for the past 18 years. MicroFab’s mission is to be the leading global supplier of printing platforms, devices, and services that enable high-payoff applications for microdispensing and precision printing in a wide range of industries. Commercial applications of the technology include microdispensing of electrical and optical polymers, bioactive materials (Proteins, DNA, Reagents), solder, adhesives, and nanoparticle laden fluids.
Contact Information
MicroFab Technologies is at www.microfab.com. Contact Dr. David B. Wallace, Vice-President, Technology Development, at microinfo3@microfab.com or by phone at 972-578-8076 (ext. 12).