Redmond, WA – Photon Machines, Inc. is pleased to announce an agreement with Delaware State University (DSU) to exclusively license new optical technology for multiplexed tagging of proteins. The method utilizes Photon Machines’ core LIBS technology in concert with multi-elemental nanoparticles to provide a tiny multi-element barcode that can be used to tag and identify proteins in solution.

Because multiple elements can be detected with LIBS, and further, particles can be composed of several elements, multi-element particle tags allow the detection of literally hundreds of proteins in a single sample. This obviates the need for time-consuming separation of complex tagged samples before detection.

The technology has a myriad of uses in biomedical research and health screening. The spectroscopy-based method is faster and more efficient than the biotechnology methods currently used, said Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, DSU Vice President of Research and Dean of the University’s College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, one of the co-developers of the technology. Initial research, which is ongoing at the University, has shown ppm and ppb-level detection of several proteins, and indicates that detection of one or two proteins should be possible. One focus of the University work has been on biomarkers for ovarian cancer.

“Photon Machines is excited to be licensing this innovative technology from DSU, which both plays to one of our core technologies, LIBS, and also promises to be an important innovation in biomedical diagnostics,” said Dr. Steve Buckley, co-founder and president of Photon Machines.

The Redmond, Washington-based Photon Machines specializes in the development of advanced, laser-based instrumentation. Its series of Analyte™ laser ablation systems are used worldwide in chemistry and geochemistry laboratories, and its new Insight™ LIBS systems allow rapid elemental analysis. The company specializes in the rapid integration of unique laser-based technologies and spectroscopies into new instruments, and software that facilitates method development and data reduction.