Molecular printers provide researchers with the ability to print tiny domains of biological materials on surfaces. But the problem is that while molecular printers provide researchers with an invaluable resource, the whole process can be a bit expensive.

That's why BioForce Nanosciences (Ames, Iowa) a producer of integrated biological and mechanical systems for life science researchers at the micro and nanoscales, is launching a Surface Patterning Service focusing on its Nano eNabler and Nano eNabler CB molecular printers.

The BNano eNabler — with the general shape and footprint of a standard microscope — is the company's flagship product, used to place tiny droplets of liquid onto surfaces with "nanometer–spatial" precision. BioForce says that this precision "lends itself to biosensor functionalization, surface patterning for cellular studies, and small volume assays."

The company's Surface Patterning Service will allow researchers to outsource their molecular printing needs to BioForce while benefiting from the precision and flexibility of the Nano eNabler line of products.

"With the nanoenabler you can put these biomaterials into a much tighter pattern," Greg Brown, CFO of BioForce NanoSciences told Diagnostics & Imaging Week. "Bio–researchers use it to create tiny diagnostic tests."

The company describes the service as generally paralleling the early days of photography and then moving on to more modern developments.

It said that in the days when film cameras were the standard; some people had their own dark room, but most outsourced printing needs to a photographic lab. Along came the Polaroid, and then digital cameras and now everyone can make their own color prints at home. Through this service the company will be the photogenic lab outsourcing the molecular printer's capabilities.

Kerry Frey, president/CEO of BioForce Nanosciences, said, "This service will target customers with a need for patterned surfaces but who have limited budgets. BioForce will use our Nano eNabler molecular printer to produce surfaces onto which proteins and nucleic acids have been deposited based upon a customer–defined pattern. As this custom service matures BioForce expects to develop a standard catalog of the most frequently requested biomolecular patterns."

"This extends BioForce's revenue streams to include service as well as sales of our research devices and consumables. We believe that custom patterned surfaces will also give biological research institutions a taste of what our technology can do and that this will yield greater demand for the Nano eNabler and Nano eNabler CB."

He added: "As we drive forward to make the Nano eNabler family of printers easier to use and less expensive, as in the case of our new Nano eNabler CB, we anticipate that more individual researchers will buy their own instrument. We have expanded our sales capabilities to address that contingency."

The company reports that it collaborated in the development of the Virichip systems by creating a platform for non–destructive virus detection system. The platform consists of a silicon chip functionalized with an "ultramicro array" of antibodies, using the Nano eNabler and a detection system based on Atomic Force microscopy. Atomic force microscopes use nanoscale tips to trace the topography of surfaces and are capable of detecting individual atoms.

In another application, the company touts the Nano eNabler for its ability to "bridge the gap" in biosensor fabrication via the precise deposition of small volumes of liquids.

BioForce says it specializes in creating life science products and solutions by integrating biological and mechanical systems at the micro and nano scales.

In other New Ventures: CSMG Technologies, (Corpus Christi, Texas), a technology management company, reported that its Live Tissue Connect (LTC; Santa Barbara, California) subsidiary now has in–house disposable instrumentation capability.

Don Robbins, president/CEO of CSMG said, "Over the past 15 months, LTC has utilized the outstanding design and engineering services of VIR Engineering located in Santa Barbara, California. With over 23 years in business, VIR Engineering has decided to close its doors. To enhance its in–house engineering capabilities, LTC has hired VIR's experienced engineering staff. This is the same engineering team that designed and developed LTC's disposable bi–polar instruments."

Frank D'Amelio, president of LTC, said, "LTC purchased the majority of VIR's laboratory, testing and assembly equipment, tools and fixtures. This equipment will be supplemental to LTC's new R&D laboratory in Santa Barbara."