Richardson, Texas (July 7, 2010) - Medical Nanotechnologies (“MedNanotech”), based in Richardson, Texas, announced today the award of a Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase 1 grant from the National Science Foundation. The award will help fund studies between the company and its collaborators at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern). The project focuses on the use and application of carbon nanotubes combined with near infrared (near IR) light to photo-thermally ablate cancer cells.
“The combination of nanotechnology with medicine (nanomedicine) is creating new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases”, said Dr. Rockford Draper, a Principal Scientist at MedNanotech and Professor in the Departments of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at UT Dallas. “The phase I grant award by the National Science Foundation will support basic studies on the application of carbon nanotubes to the noninvasive destruction of tumor cells”.
Draper is the lead investigator on the grant. He will collaborate with Dr. Ellen Vitetta and her group in the Cancer Immunobiology Center (CIC) at UT Southwestern. Vitetta is the Director of CIC and Professor of Immunology and Microbiology. Draper and Vitetta have been working together for the past several years.
About the Company
MedNanotech focuses on the functionalization and specific delivery of nanoparticles for applications in various biomedical markets, including the research, diagnostics, therapeutics and veterinary sectors. In collaboration with their strategic partners, MedNanotech researchers have developed promising technologies that will allow for the effective use of nanotechnology-based solutions to address a variety of issues across multiple scientific disciplines, including basic biomedical research and applied science related to disorders such as cancer and infectious diseases.
For more information about MedNanotech’s technologies and business strategy, visit: www.nanomedinc.com .
About UT Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas comprises seven schools, offers an array of interdisciplinary degree programs and features a student population as diverse as its areas of study.
With a current enrollment of more than 15,000 students and a world-class faculty that includes a Nobel laureate, members of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering and active, news-making researchers, UT Dallas aims to provide Texas and the nation with the benefits of educational and research programs of the highest quality. By merging theory with practice in classrooms and at the University’s 56 research centers, UT Dallas challenges students to investigate their own questions and create the future they envision for themselves. To learn more, visit: utdallas.edu.
Contact Information
MedNanotech
Rob Burgess, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board and President
Email: rob.burgess@nanomedinc.com
Phone: 214-440-2311
