In this SBIR phase I grant application, Codex BioSolutions proposes to construct a cell-based high throughput assay that measures chemical toxicity using a novel dye, m-MPI. This dye was engineered to overcome many of the drawbacks of current dyes used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential. The parent dye JC-1 has been used for this purpose previously. In the mitochondria, where it accumulates as aggregates, it fluoresces red, whereas in the cytoplasm where it is a monomer, it fluoresces green. However, JC-1 is difficult to use because it has very low water solubility which makes using its differential fluorescent properties difficult. Our dye, m-MPI has increased solubility allowing easy quantitative assessment of MMP status simply by calculating the ratio of red/green fluorescence. m-MPI can also be used with cells that do not work with JC-1 (such as primary cells) due at least in part to its increased sensitivity. We believe our assay will more accurately assess hazards in a shorter time and with less cost.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research – Phase I (N43)
Project #
271201300012C-0-0-1
Application #
8756438
Study Section
Project Start
2013-09-10
Project End
2014-03-09
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$158,510
Indirect Cost
Name
Codex Biosolutions, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
963268094
City
Gaithersburg
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20879