Nanoprobes Inc.

Nanoprobes was founded to develop the most sensitive reagents and technology for detecting biological molecules. Our unique gold labeling technology uses chemically cross-linked metal clusters and nanoparticles as labels. Unlike conventional immunogold probes, in which colloidal gold particles are electrostatically adsorbed to antibodies and proteins, our gold labels are uncharged molecules which are cross-linked to specific sites on biomolecules. This gives our probes a range and versatility which is not available with colloidal gold. Our labels can be attached to any molecule with a reactive group -- proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, small molecules and lipids -- for detection and localization. Other labels can be combined with our gold labels; our unique FluoroNanogold probes combine Nanogold® and fluorescein into a single probe for imaging a specimen both by fluorescence and electron microscopy. New probes can be engineered based on any fragment of a naturally occurring biomolecule, and the label can be positioned away from the binding site so it does not interfere with binding. Our 1.4 nm Nanogold® probes have been cited in over 80 publications, and we are now developing larger cross-linkable labels in order to offer our customers larger covalently linkable probes with the same advantages.

Nanoprobes has developed new technology to expand the uses of gold labels for sensitive and rapid medical diagnostics. We offer a range of ancillary reagents for chemical amplification, staining and imaging. We also develop new applications for metal clusters and nanoparticles as components of new materials, sensors and data storage media. For the latest in detection technology and reagents, look to Nanoprobes.

Our research is performed by our highly skilled team of research chemists and biophysicists, in collaboration with leading researchers at universities and private laboratories. The Company has received several grants from the NIH and NSF through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which support many of our research activites.

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