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NanoHorizons Awarded Patent on QuickMass Technology
Invention dramatically extends MALDI Mass Spectrometer performance;
enables MALDI MS small molecule analysis and high-throughput screening
State College, PA, February 9, 2005:
NanoHorizons, Inc., an emerging leader in applied nanoscale materials and solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a patent covering the company's deposited thin-film system for high-throughput small-molecule mass spectrometry. QuickMass-enhanced targets enable MALDI mass spectrometers to be used for accurate and convenient small molecule analysis using matrix-less and thin-layer matrix test techniques.
"In applications where the mass range limits of MALDI mass spectrometers have forced analytic chemists to use slower and costlier analytic protocols, QuickMass-enhanced targets enable a leap in productivity and capability," said Dr. Stephen Fonash, founder of NanoHorizons. "Tens of millions of compounds are analyzed annually -- QuickMass-enhanced targets can rapidly impact a research lab or pharmaceutical company's bottom line and time-to-market."
MALDI is currently the primary mass spectrometry technique for large molecule analysis, operating effectively in the 1,000 to 180,000 amu range. Prior to the advent of QuickMass, small molecule analysis could not be reliably performed using these laser-desorption-based mass spectrometers. Instead, small molecules could only be analyzed using slower and costlier Liquid Chromatography/Ion Electrospray analysis.
QuickMass-enhanced targets utilize NanoHorizons' patented nanoscale non-porous germanium layer to desorb the laser energy of the MALDI instrument, avoiding the use of a matrix and thereby allowing the acquisition of a clear spectrum below 1,000 amu. Using QuickMass+MALDI creates an 80% improvement in the time it takes researchers to get results. This translates into significant time and cost reductions for pharmaceutical development, ADME (Administration, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) testing, biomarker, proteomics, bio/chemical hazard, environmental testing and numerous other applications.
QuickMass-enhanced targets are intended to be used once and discarded or stored for archival purposes or further analysis at a later date. They require no special handling and can be stored "on the shelf" at room temperature indefinitely without degradation. Other notable attempts to enable "matrix-less MALDI" for small molecule analysis have relied on the use of porous silicon -- which has to date resulted in targets that demand complex cleaning, storage, handling and sample preparation procedures and are easily contaminated.
"Single use targets are rapidly gaining popularity with high-volume users of MALDI instruments. Given the clear performance advantages of QuickMass, we believe all disposable targets should be QuickMass-enhanced." said Dr. Dan Hayes, co-founder of NanoHorizons and co-inventor of the QuickMass technology. "QuickMass-enhanced MALDI mass spectrometry will enable researchers to extend the useful range of their instruments and significantly speed up their discovery process, using existing equipment while avoiding complex handling, storage, cleaning, and anti-contamination procedures."
QuickMass is already in use by Kratos Analytical, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation and world leader in mass spectrometry. Questions regarding QuickMass and the availability of QuickMass-enhanced targets for additional brands and models of mass spectrometers can be answered by directly contacting NanoHorizons. For more information, please visit nanohorizons.com.
About NanoHorizons, Inc.
NanoHorizons, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Dr. Stephen Fonash, founder and Director of the Penn State Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization. The company focuses on nanotechnology applications in the drug discovery, microelectronics, consumer products and health care industries and has licensed a comprehensive portfolio of nanotechnology Intellectual Property from the Penn State Research Foundation. Its research and development team continuously produces additional real-life solutions using nanotechnology in applied materials science.
NanoHorizons' new product and application introductions include: QuickMass, which addresses the need for more cost effective pharmaceutical research and increased drug discovery capacity; nano-materials-based sensors for applications such as environmental control, respiration monitors and medical diagnostics; and most recently low-cost, polymer process-compatible, noble-metal nanoparticles. For more information, please visit nanohorizons.com.
Contacts:
Nicolas A. Boillot
Hart-Boillot, LLC
Dan Hayes, PhD.
NanoHorizons, Inc.
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