Nanosys and Bruker Daltonics collaborate in technology for fast analysis
of small molecules
21 March 2007 Palo Alto, Calif. & Billerica, Mass., USA. Nanosys, Inc.
and Bruker Daltonics Inc. have entered into a broad R&D collaboration and
distribution agreement. The companies will launch nanotechnology-enabled
small molecule chemical analysis chips for high-throughput laser desorption
ionization mass spectrometry. Bruker Daltonics will use Nanosys’
matrix-free target plates with its FLEX-series of laser desorption
ionization (LDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers. These Nanosys
plates are known as capture and analyze (CA) NALDI chips.
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High-throughput analysis using
NALDI™ chemical analysis chips. The image shows the direct
deposition of samples (with no chemical matrix added) onto the
surface of the Nanosys NALDI chip. (Photo: Business Wire) |
NALDI chips enable significant sensitivity, throughput and ease-of-use
benefits for the analysis of small molecules such as drug compounds, small
peptides, natural products, pesticides or many other low mass molecules that
previously were difficult to analyze with the ease and throughput of
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers. Today, these molecules typically have to be
analyzed with LC-MS (liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry), which is
time-consuming, less robust and requires more operator training. NALDI
chips combined with the fast and easy-to use TOF or TOF/TOF mass
spectrometers have the potential to revolutionize small-molecule mass
spectrometry in many important areas of life science or chemical research
and analysis. Potential applications include chemistry and molecular biology
research, molecular diagnostics and molecular imaging research, pharma/biotech
and other industrial research and analysis, as well as many applied fields,
such as food analysis, environmental analysis, toxicology, etc. Under the
terms of the collaboration agreement, the companies will collaborate closely
on R&D related to the NALDI chips, as well as on applications and assay
development. Nanosys will manufacture and exclusively supply NALDI chips for
Bruker LDI-TOF mass spectrometers, while Bruker Daltonics will market and
distribute the innovative NALDI chips worldwide. Financial details of the
agreement were not disclosed. “We are excited to be partnering with Bruker
Daltonics to bring our NALDI chip products to market,” said Calvin Chow,
Nanosys' Chief Executive Officer. “Bruker is a clear leader in the area of
chemical analysis and life sciences research. They understand how to take
breakthrough technology products successfully into high value markets.”
Frank Laukien, Ph.D., President and CEO of Bruker Daltonics, commented: "The
unique capabilities offered by the Nanosys NALDI chips in combination with
our industry-leading TOF and TOF/TOF mass spectrometers open up a breadth of
new research and applied market opportunities for the easy, fast and robust
analysis of small molecules.” To top
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