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Bioo Scientific,
an Austin, TX based biotechnology company, announced today that it has been
awarded a $500,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant
from the National Science Foundation for the development of a targeted in vivo
RNA Interference (RNAi) delivery technology. RNAi is an invaluable technique
to characterize gene function and is being evaluated for the treatment of numerous
human diseases. According to Lance Ford, Bioo Scientific's VP of Research
and Business Development, "While technologies are widely available for
RNAi agent delivery into cells grown on plastic dishes in specially designed
incubators, to fully understand gene functions and cellular pathways, in vitro
results must be validated in animals. Currently, there are no commercial technologies
for the targeted, in vivo delivery of RNAi agents and Bioo Scientific intends
to fill this gap". This grant will enable Bioo Scientific to develop kits
and reagents based on the patent-pending Targeted Transport Technology (T3).
T3 involves conjugating an RNAi agent carrier to a monoclonal antibody (mAb)
to produce a conjugate, which is then loaded with an RNAi agent such as siRNA
and miRNA molecules. The RNAi agent loaded conjugate is administered to an animal
where it binds to and is internalized by cells recognized by the mAb. The RNAi
agent is then released to reduce the expression of its intended target. T3 will
propel the validation of animal experimentation, leading to a better understanding
of cellular pathways, the identification of novel drug targets, and the ability
to more efficiently deliver RNAi agents as drugs.
Bioo Scientific Corporation is an Austin, TX based biotechnology company that
provides innovative solutions to the life science industry. Bioo Scientific
offers a complete portfolio of products and services for academic, pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and molecular diagnostics laboratories, and organizations that
perform food and feed safety analysis.
Posted July 30th, 2009
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