NanoInk Releases Two New Nanoscale Applications in Biology for the NLP 2000 System


CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - September 7, 2010) -  NanoInk, Inc.®, a global leader in nanolithography, announced today that it expanded the range of nanoscale applications for biology with the recent launch of two new Application Notes. NanoInk's NanoFabrication Systems Division instruments, most notably the NLP 2000 System, have now been proven to enable applications related to micropatterning of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel and UV-curable polymer. These new capabilities broaden even further the applicability of the NLP 2000 System for biological sciences. Earlier Application Notes described the benefits of using NanoInk's platform to functionalize biosensors, pattern functional hydrogels and print multiplexed protein arrays.

Launched in 2009 as a tool for bioscience research, the NLP 2000 System is a simple, user-friendly desktop nanolithography platform. The system leverages patented Dip Pen Nanolithography® (DPN®) technology to deposit sub-cellular-scale features of a wide variety of materials with nanoscale registry, all under ambient conditions. With the addition of two new Application Notes to its portfolio of biological research support materials, NanoInk continues to serve as a true partner to the life science community.

"The first of the new Application Notes demonstrates successful use of the NLP 2000 System for micropatterning PEG-based hydrogels," said Tom Warwick, NanoInk's general manager of sales and marketing. "Hydrogels are three-dimensional cross-linked polymer networks that have physical characteristics similar to those of natural tissues. The versatility of PEG chemistry and the excellent biocompatibility of PEG-based hydrogels have been instrumental in hydrogel advances related to controlled material release, directed cellular function, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications. NanoInk has developed a consistent and reproducible methodology for directly depositing hydrogel precursors at defined locations on a surface and subsequently polymerizing these precursors to form PEG-based hydrogels."

The second new bioscience Application Note validates the utility of the NLP 2000 System for printing UV-curable polymers. Features generated by the NLP 2000 System have sub-cellular dimensions, so polymer arrays can be used to study cell/substrate interactions at the single cell level. Micro-patterned polymers are also useful in tissue engineering, lab-on-a-chip, flexible circuit and microlens applications. With DPN's ability to generate arrays that cover millimeter-scale areas with nanometer resolution and precision, the NLP 2000 System has been proven to print homogeneous and highly reliable polymer patterns onto smooth substrates like glass and silicon wafers. 

NanoInk is dedicated to developing and supporting a wide range of biological applications for the NLP 2000 System. The latest two Application Notes further confirm this commitment. A full list of applications notes is available at: www.nanoink.net/biomaterials/literature.html#notes.

Please visit NanoInk's new Web site at www.nanoink.net or call (847) 679-8807 for more information on the NanoFabrication Systems Division, the NLP 2000 System, and related Application Notes.

About NanoInk 
NanoInk, Inc. is an emerging growth technology company specializing in nanometer-scale manufacturing and applications development for the life sciences, engineering, pharmaceutical, and education industries. Using Dip Pen Nanolithography® (DPN®), a patented and proprietary nanofabrication technology, scientists are enabled to rapidly and easily create micro-and nanoscale structures from a variety of materials on a range of substrates. This low cost, easy to use and scalable technique brings sophisticated nanofabrication to the laboratory desktop.

Headquartered in the Illinois Science + Technology Park, north of Chicago, NanoInk currently has over 250 patents and applications filed worldwide and licensing agreements with Northwestern University, Stanford University, University of Strathclyde, University of Liverpool, California Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For more information on products and services offered by NanoInk, Inc., visit www.nanoink.net.

Divisions of NanoInk:

The NanoFabrication Systems Division provides core desktop instrumentation and application expertise for current and future applications of DPN.

The Nano BioDiscovery Division provides instruments, assay kits, and contract services for nanoscale protein detection using DPN technology.

The NanoStem™ Cell Division aims to revolutionize the utility of stem cells through the application of DPN nanopatterning.

The NanoProfessor™ Division provides a complete nanotechnology educational solution including a suite of instruments, interdisciplinary-based curriculum, cutting-edge labs, and comprehensive educator and program support developed to extend hands-on nanotechnology education to the undergraduate classroom. 

The NanoGuardian™ Division uses NanoEncryption™ technology to offer pharmaceutical customers a state-of-the-art on-dose brand security solution to fight counterfeiting and illegal diversion.

NanoInk, the NanoInk logo, Dip Pen Nanolithography, DPN, NanoEncryption, NanoGuardian, NanoProfessor, NanoStem are trademarks or registered trademarks of NanoInk, Inc. 

Contact Information:

Contacts:
Joshua Taustein
Dresner Corporate Services
(312) 780-7219
jtaustein@dresnerco.com

David Gutierrez
Dresner Corporate Services
(312) 780-7204
dgutierrez@dresnerco.com