• Bioinstrumentation
• Biomarker Detection
  • NIAD-4
• Industrial Monitoring
• Radars

Biomarker Detection

ICx Technologies has conducted extensive research into the development of unique fluorophores and polymer synthesis. The advancements made by the Life Sciences team has resulted in uniquely specific fluorophore structures that meet the stringent application requirements associated with chemical and biomarker detection. These rationally-designed structures recognize and bind to specific molecules without the use of intermediary, "recognition" molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies.

Several related fluorophores have been designed to recognize the aggregated proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases which have a ß-sheet structure. These fluorophores are small enough to pass the blood-brain barrier and bind to amyloid-ß proteins, hypothesized to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Once a binding event occurs, the fluorophore will emit fluorescent light in the far red and near infrared spectral range. Light in this spectral range penetrates tissue making possible optical in vivo molecular imaging. One such fluorophore, NIAD-4, emits strong red (625 nm) fluorescence making it an ideal contrast agent for basic and pre-clinical research.