These agreements bring the promise of new jobs and economic expansion in northeast Ohio and the state.

Liquid crystal biosensor technology developed through a joint research project by investigators at NEOUCOM and Kent State has been co-licensed to two companies, Oringen LLC of Tallmadge, Ohio, and Pathogen Detection Systems of Boulder, Colo., for further development.

Continued development of this technology will enhance the health, safety and economic vitality of Ohio communities and the nation. Each company has committed to bringing research and development, production, sales and other jobs to Kent and surrounding areas, once the technology has been developed.

The liquid crystal biosensor technology is expected to change radically the detection and identification of harmful pathogens. While current detection methods can take up to three days to identify disease-causing agents, this new technology offers the promise of detection and identification within minutes.

The collaborating researchers combined their expertise in liquid crystals and biomedical sciences to develop a device that can quickly detect harmful microbes, such as anthrax or plague. There are a host of potential applications for this technology, including environmental protection, homeland security and medical diagnoses.

Christopher Woolverton, Ph.D., Kent State associate professor of biological sciences, Gary D. Niehaus, Ph.D., NEOUCOM associate professor of physiology and pharmacology, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Ph.D., director of Kent State's Liquid Crystal Institute, and Kathleen Doane, Ph.D., NEOUCOM associate professor of anatomy, formed the team of investigators that produced a portfolio of patents and, u
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Contact: Lisa Lambert
lalamber@kent.edu
330-672-8514
Kent State University
1-Mar-2006