Research
ImmunoChemistry Technologies, LLC (ICT) strives to perfect non-invasive imaging reagents for the identification and characterization of dead and dying cells that will be used to improve human health.
Personalized Medicine: Future Clinical Applications of FLIVO
Through our in-house R&D efforts, grant projects, and collaborations, ICT is developing diagnostic detection methods to more accurately assess tumor shrinkage, neurodegeneration, retinal degeneration, and other degenerative conditions in many animal models and cell and tissue types. We continue to find new applications of our reagents that help develop cures, better manage disease, and personalize treatments. One day, these reagents will be used in clinical labs to help determine treatment efficacy and patient prognosis. See the data and learn how FLIVO could revolutionize treatment by clicking on the sample ads below.
Grant Projects
Because ICT's detection reagents could revolutionize treatment protocols and improve human health, ICT has been awarded almost $2 million in grant funding from the NIH and IRS for 4 projects from 2008 to 2011:
- New Fluorescent Caspase Detection Probes to Label Apoptotic Tumor Cells In Vivo
- PET and SPECT Ligands for Imaging Apoptosis
- Near Infrared Tracers for Imaging Apoptosis
- MRI of Apoptosis using New Tracers for Caspases
Core Technology
ICT has taken a unique approach in detecting apoptosis, which is the mechanism of programmed cell death. Our reagents measure the intracellular process of apoptosis by detecting the active caspase enzymes (which dismantle the dying cell) from within the live cell. By monitoring apoptosis inside the body, our reagents can detect dead cells via apoptotic events caused by a variety of diseases, and use the technology to monitor responses to treatment in affected patients. ICT wrote about the technology in chapter 10 of Apoptosis and Cancer, edited by Gil Mor and Ayesha B. Alvero.
FLIVO™ apoptosis detection tracer reagents are cell-permeant and bind to all active caspases. The bound tracer is retained within apoptotic (dying) cells; any unbound tracer is removed by the physiological flux of the circulating blood in the live animal or patient. FLIVO™ tracers have a reporter molecule conjugated to a very small protein peptide sequence (such as Val-Ala-Asp) linked to a leaving group, such as fluoromethyl ketone. For in vivo detection via non-invasive optical imaging, our newest NIR-FLIVO™ products use the near-infrared reporters DyLight© 690 and DyLight© 747. To detect FLIVO™ using visible fluorescence, ICT offers FLIVO tracers with carboxyfluorescein (FAM, green) or sulforhodamine (SR, red) fluorescent labels. FLIVO won LifeScience Alley's New Technology Showcase Award in Dec. 2008. MRI imaging uses a non-radioactive fluorine compound. 18F (radioactive) will be used for PET imaging, and 123I (radioactive) will be used for SPECT imaging. Currently, all ICT's products are for research use only.
Collaborate with ICT
If you need an in vivo detection probe for your research, have a promising molecular detection tracer technology, or would like to collaborate with ICT, please contact Gary L. Johnson or Dr. Brian W. Lee at 1-800-829-3194.
Funding
ICT is a privately held limited liability company that was initialy financed by 4 partners beginning in 1994. The company is now supported by revenues from product sales and contract laboratory services. From 2008 - 2011, we were awarded almost $2 million in grant funding from the NIH. In 2010, ICT reinvested over half of its income into R&D.