Nov 14 2008
BioForce Nanosciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB: BFNH), a leader in systems integration at the micro- and nano-scales to create products for the life sciences, is pleased to announce that it has signed a scientific collaboration agreement with the University Pierre & Marie Curie (UPMC) and CNRS (Centre National de Recheche Scientifique) in Paris, France. Under the terms of this agreement, researchers from the laboratory of Dr. Fatiha Nothias will collaborate with BioForce to develop technologies, protocols, and products related to neural cell-based assays.
These proprietary assays will be created using the Nano eNabler™ molecular printer from BioForce, and they will allow scientists to study the structure, function, and microenvironments of neural cells. In particular, neural cell-based assays hold great promise as a platform for evaluating the therapeutic potential of new drug compounds and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and neural trauma.
Dr. Fatiha Nothias, Principal Investigator at UPMC, said, “This novel molecular micro-printing device appears to be a very useful and flexible technology to bring new insights into the cellular response processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, morphogenesis, and differentiation. In particular, we are focusing on axonal outgrowth in the nervous system, which is controlled by specific extracellular cues that exhibit a precise spatial and temporal distribution, allowing the axon to reach its target. Mimicking in vitro, at least partially, the in vivo environment, is a big challenge. Thus it is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with BioForce. We are very enthusiastic in using the Nano eNabler system to investigate how growth cones (highly motile distal tip of the neuronal axon) are sensing and are influenced by micropatterned substrates.”
BioForce’s Product Manager, Michael Lynch, said, “We have enjoyed working closely with Dr. Nothias and the UMPC over the past two years as they have pushed the capabilities of our Nano eNabler technology. This collaborative agreement emphasizes our continued interest in supporting cutting edge applications and bringing them to the market as novel products. The biomedical research community has made fantastic advances in a number of areas, however, there are still a great many unknowns in brain research, and deciphering that complexity represents a massive international effort and opportunity. As an example, there are nearly 40,000 members of the Society for Neuroscience working around the globe to unravel the mysteries of the human brain. We believe that our products are the type of tools that these researchers need in order to unlock the mysteries of the human brain, and develop therapies that more effectively treat neural disorders.”
On November 18, Dr. Fatiha Nothias will be presenting her most recent results at the Society for Neuroscience 2008 conference in Washington, DC. The title of her talk is “Micropatterned Adhesive Extracellular Matrix Substrates Reveal Specific Response of DRG Neuron Growth Cone.” BioForce Nanosciences will also be presenting a research poster at the same conference, titled, “Basolateral Activation of Neural Crest-Derived PC-12 Cells.” An electronic copy of this poster may be downloaded from the BioForce Resources Library after it has been presented. Representatives from BioForce will be available in the Society for Neuroscience exhibit hall at booth #1206.
BioForce Nanosciences will also be exhibiting at TERMIS 2008 (Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society) in San Diego, CA on December 7-10, and the American Society for Cell Biology in San Francisco, CA on December 13-17.
For further information about this release please contact Greg Brown, Chief Financial Officer of BioForce at (515) 233-8333 ext. 118, or Rich Kaiser, Investor Relations at (800) 631-8127.