Available Technologies

VALUE PROPOSITION

The need for Identifying viruses quickly and accurately has become more apparent than ever.  Each cell, virus, nanoparticle vibrates at a natural frequency.  This technology is a phonon spectroscopy-based microscope that accurately identifies single nanoparticles and viruses. The device can be used for detecting single viruses or bacteria in various clinical applications such as: early identification and detection for diagnostics, compositional analysis for gene therapy, vaccine and drug development, viral load monitoring, and identification of new strains. Additionally, the device may be used for detection of viruses or bacteria in environmental samples. The device may also be used for detection of single bacterium in applications such as research related to antibiotic resistance, biofuel production, waste treatment and synthetic biology. Other applications include use as a security device to detect threats such as drug residue, explosives, and other illegal items.

DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention is an optical method of tracking acoustic vibrations in small biological particles by measuring the frequency of naturally occurring acoustic Raman vibrations induced by physical properties and size using a pump probe technique. This signal is used to obtain information that identifies single particles. The apparatus utilizes asynchronous optical sampling to generate two pulses with a fixed repetition rate generated by a pump laser and a probe laser.  Synchronization is maintained between the pump and probe laser. The pump pulse excites collective vibrations within the virion or nanoparticle of interest. The probe laser detects weak changes in light scattering due to the vibrations of the particle. 

BENEFITS

• Accurate identification of single nano particles
• Sample preparation not required

• Wide range of applications

APPLICATIONS

• Clinical diagnostics and research for virus and bacteria related diseases and drug/vaccine development
• Detection of substances in security applications
• Environmental monitoring

IP Status

US Patent Pending

LICENSING RIGHTS AVAILABLE

Full licensing rights available

Inventors: Elad Harel

Tech ID: TEC2023-0105

For more information about this technology,

Contact Raymond DeVito, Ph.D. CLP at Devitora@msu.edu or +1-517-884-1658