University of Arizona and Arizona State University License Porous High Surface Area Materials for a DNA Collection to UA Related Start-up Diomics

(Tucson, AZ) The University of Arizona’s Office of Technology Transfer working in collaboration with ASU’s AzTE recently licensed an invention out of the University of Arizona’s Center for Applied Nanobioscience and Medicine entitled, “Porous High Surface Area Materials for a DNA Collection” to the Diomics Corporation based in La Jolla, California There is intense interest to improve the accuracy, reduce the cost, and reduce the analysis time for DNA profiling. New methods and procedures are under investigation to address these issues. The methods that appear to be the most promising are ones that incorporate automation and miniaturization. The incorporation of these methods place stricter demands on the collection efficiency and processing of DNA samples. Currently sampling techniques typically use a cotton swab for sample collection. For many applications this technique is extremely inefficient.

For example, it has been reported in the literature that the collection efficiency and release of sperm cells using cotton swabs in sexual assault cases is a minute fraction of the total available sperm cell population from the collection area due to the strong adhesion of the sperm cells to the cotton fibers. The licensed invention addresses this issue by providing an extremely high surface area material with a degradable matrix comprised of hybrid nanomaterials for a more controlled release of the collected sample from the matrix scaffold. Advantages of the technology include: overcoming limitations in the release of degraded materials at low recovery efficiency by combining a high surface area material in a degradable matrix, and easily modified surface chemistry of the substrate provides the flexibility to alter the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of the material to optimize sample collection and processing.

Diomics is a life sciences company, specifically focused on diagnostics, forensics, integrated DNA analysis and genetic solutions. Since the launch of the company, the investigators have designed and developed the Diomat™ Technology, a novel bioengineered material family for a number of life science applications. Diomat’s unique structure and extreme stability lends itself to the advantages of traditional high-speed manufacturing processes while enabling the real integration of biotechnology at the molecular level including new engineered products, bone grafting, drug delivery and much more. For further information contact Mr. Jeff Morhet, Chief Executive Officer (mailto: morhet@diomics.com).

The University of Arizona’s Office of Technology Transfer (UA OTT) and Arizona Technology Enterprise (AzTE) and are the intellectual property management organizations for University of Arizona and Arizona State University respectively. The organizations work with faculty, inventors and industry partners to speed the flow of innovation from research laboratory to the marketplace. For further information contact either Dr. Eugene Cochran, Sr. Licensing Associate at UA OTT (mailto: ecochran@ott.arizona.edu) or Dr. Thomas Goodman, Director of Business Development at AzTE (mailto: tomgoodman@azte.com).