IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- CalbaTech, Inc. (OTCBB:CLBE), which is focused on acquiring, incubating and developing early stage life science companies, today announced that the Company (http://www.CalbaTech.com) and researcher Dr. Marc Madou of University of California, Irvine, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, have been awarded a University of California Discovery Grant for a project entitled "Rapid and Low-Cost Biomolecule Detection on Adjacent Impedance Probing (AIP) Electrode with Impedance Amplifying Labels."
The research involves a novel electrode-based array devices and methods of operation in nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) analysis. The technology enables high-density electrode arrays to be produced and interrogated electronically as opposed to the traditional optical detection methods such as those used on the Affymetrix (Nasdaq:AFFX) chip. Today, most detection schemes for DNA hybridization involve optical measurements using a variety of labels, such as fluorescent and/or chemiluminescent probes, photoproteins, and others. While those optical methods afford the necessary sensitivity for most of these measurements, the cost of the equipment can be high, and therefore, less expensive alternatives are highly desirable. The novel electrical detection of biomolecule in the technology being developed by CalbaTech and UCI will involve less complicated and less expensive instrumentation compared to the traditional optical methods. Applications for this technology include medical and clinical diagnostics.
Before joining UCI as the Chancellor's Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Dr. Madou was Vice President of Advanced Technology at Nanogen (Nasdaq:NGEN) in San Diego, California. He specializes in the application of miniaturization technology to chemical and biological problems (Bio-MEMS). He is the author of several books in this burgeoning field that he helped pioneer both in academia and industry.
Dr. Madou founded several micromachining companies and has been on the board of a number of others. He was the founder of the SRI International's Microsensor Department, founder and President of Teknekron Sensor Development Corporation, Visiting Miller Professor at UC Berkeley and Endowed Chair at the Ohio State University as Professor in Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering. He is now working on the third edition of "Fundamentals of Microfabrication," an introduction to MEMS that has become known as the "bible" of micromachining. Some of Dr. Madou's recent research work involves artificial muscle for responsive drug delivery, a compact disc-based fluidic platform, carbon-MEMS, DNA arrays and a solid-state pH electrode based on IrOx. More details on these recent research projects is available at: http://www.biomems.net.
The Industry-University Cooperative Research Program (IUCRP) awards MICRO Grants and UC Discovery Grants in five fields of science and engineering. UC Discovery Grants form a three-way partnership between U.S., industry sponsors, and the State of California. The objective of the UC Discovery Grant System is to strengthen and expand California's economy through jointly sponsored industry-university research partnerships.
CalbaTech, Inc. is an emerging life sciences company concentrating on providing products and platforms to the research market, both for biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic institutions. CalbaTech is focused on acquiring, incubating and developing early stage life science companies that are developing next generation products and technologies, both in the United States and in the United Kingdom. In addition to growth through acquisition, CalbaTech is building an experienced and innovative scientific staff, including several notable members of its Scientific Advisory Board that will contribute breakthrough innovation in areas of biological discovery.
Note: Certain statements in this news release may contain "forward looking" information within the meaning of rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements in such statements.