Optimization of IsoRaft Technology for Stem Cell Market

描述（由申请人提供）：细胞微系统公司是一家位于北卡罗来纳州的初创生物技术公司，其使命是将一种新颖但价格合理的平台商业化，该平台用于从混合群体中有效分离活的单细胞或集落，同时细胞/集落保持粘附或封装在固体表面上。该公司的“IsoRaft”技术基于查佩尔山的北卡罗来纳州大学（University of North Carolina）最近开发的一种独特的电池阵列，并代表了通过SBIR计划将学术技术转化为市场的理想机会。细胞微系统公司已获得许可证，将该技术商业化，在学术实验室，以及生物技术和制药行业的广泛市场。该产品包括用于培养细胞的一次性微阵列（IsoRaft Array）和用于分离细胞的简单装置。 目的细胞/集落。阵列和设备的原型已经完成，并正在附近研究机构的一些学术实验室进行早期采用计划（EPA）测试。在第一阶段SBIR提案中，我们将探索使用IsoRaft技术进行干细胞研究的可行性。特别是我们将专注于设计和优化用于干细胞的IsoRaft Array，并开发用于细胞成像，识别，跟踪和检索目标干细胞/集落的策略。IsoRaft技术用于干细胞研究将由我们在北卡罗来纳大学医学院的学术合作者进行。我们的目标是将这项技术在干细胞研究中的应用扩展到生命科学市场的大型社区。第一阶段的研究将提供第一代商业设备和耗材，提供灵活而强大的手段来进行独特的干细胞检测和分选实验，大大降低成本和时间。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cell Microsystems is a North Carolina-based start-up biotechnology company whose mission is to commercialize a novel, yet affordable, platform for the efficient isolation of viable, single cells or colonies from a mixed population while the cell/colony remains adherent or encapsulated to a solid surface. The company's "IsoRaft" technology is based on a unique cell array recently developed at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, and represents an ideal opportunity for the translation of an academic technology to the marketplace through the SBIR program. Cell Microsystems has obtained license from UNC to commercialize the technology for a broad market in academic labs, as well as in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The products consist of disposable microarray (the IsoRaft Array) for culturing cells and a simple device for isolating the cell/colony of interest. Prototypes of arrays and devices have been completed and are being tested in a number of academic labs as an Early Adoption Program (EPA) at nearby research institutes. In this Phase I SBIR proposal, we will explore the feasibility of using the IsoRaft technology for stem cell research. Particularly we will focus on design and optimize the IsoRaft Array for stem cells, and develop strategies for cell imaging, identification, tracking and retrievl of targeted stem cells/colonies. The use IsoRaft technology for stem cell research will be conducted by our academic collaborator at UNC School of Medicine. Our goal is to expand the use of this technology for stem cell research to the large community in the life science market. The studies in Phase I will deliver a 1st generation commercial device and consumables that provide a flexible and powerful means to perform unique stem cell assay and sorting experiments at significant cost and time reduction.