TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Alkylphosphonate/ITO Functionalized Glass and Plastic Chips for Microarrays

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license alkylphosponate/ITO functionalized glass and plastic chips for microarrays.

Background: Current microarray work is done on glass surfaces pre-treated with functionalized organo-silane compounds on glass. Because silyl ether networks arising from coating glass with organo-silanes are subject to hydrolysis, especially when stripping with aqueous base solutions. The latter treatment can result in loss of array material leading to inconsistent results and fundamentally, prevents reliable reuse of the chip for additional experimentation.

Description: The invention covers a more stable surface functionalization that will enable improved preparation of biopolymer-based microarrays on both glass and plastic surfaces. LLNL has developed a method wherein glass or plastic substrate coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) is treated with an alkyl phosphonate compound forming a stable phosphodiester with the metal oxide; the alkyl chain bearing a functional chemical group enables further chemical elaboration, e.g . DNA synthesis that results in a population of several thousand DNA probe structures.

Advantages: Use of this chip will provide enhanced surface stability. The stability of the bond between phosphonate and ITO will provide microarrays with enhanced chemical robustness. This aspect will also enable the re-use of the microarray. The functionalized surfaces can be used for direct chemical synthesis of DNA probes as well as being robotically "spotted" with pre-synthesized DNA oligomers.

Applications: Use of ITO/phosphonate functionalized slides to facilitate preparation of other biopolymers (e.g. aptamers, RNA, PNA, LNA, DNA thiophosphonates, peptides, proteins, peptidomimetics, and the like) in a microarray format.

Development Status: LLNL has developed alkylphosphonate/ITO functionalized glass and plastic chips for microarrays and has been using this technology in support of our missions in biosecurity and biodefense.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.

Please visit the IPO website at http://ipo.llnl.gov/workwithus/partneringprocess.php

for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Alkylphosphonate/ITO Functionalized Glass and Plastic Chips for Microarrays should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.

2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.

•3. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Industrial Partnerships Office

Attn: Ida C. Shum

P.O. Box 808, L-795

Livermore, CA 94551-0808

Attention: FBO 191-08

Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's technology.