About the company. Molecular Sensing, Inc., is dedicated to the creation of molecular interaction products that deliver free-solution or surface-bound, label-free kinetic, and quantitative end-point biochemical- and cell-based assays. Our mission is to become a leader in the emerging field of personalized medicine, beginning with research applications involving biomarker discovery and assay development in academic, government, and industrial laboratories. While our first products are aimed at benchtop research use, our technology will be adapted to devices and assays for hand-held, point-of-care clinical diagnostics and point-of-analysis biodefense applications. About the technology. At the core of all Molecular Sensing products is our proprietary Back-Scattering Interferometry (BSI) technology, exclusively licensed from Vanderbilt University. For the first time, free-solution, label-free detection in a micro-chip format with zeptomole sensitivity is possible. An easy-to-use, ultra-sensitive, and low-cost platform, BSI is ideally suited for measuring molecular interaction kinetics and performing quantitative, end-point assays. The BSI platform can be used to discover new biomarkers, rapidly develop assays, and run routine/quantitative molecular interaction-based assays in seconds at picomolar concentrations in either free-solution or surface-bound, label-free modes. About the applications. Back-Scattering Interferometry has been validated for biochemical assays to measure the rate, concentration, and affinity of biomolecular interactions, such as protein-protein, antibody-antigen interactions, small molecule-protein interactions, DNA-DNA and DNA-protein binding. Currently being validated for a variety of cell-based assays, BSI is particularly valuable where trace sample requirements, extraordinary sensitivity, and/or free-solution analysis is required. Unlike other biosensor techniques, BSI does not require significant knowledge of the interacting species and eliminates the need for finessing surface attachment chemistries. As a result, BSI enables unmatched assay development speed and improved performance compared to conventional techniques. In addition to providing insight into basic cellular function, BSI has demonstrated the potential to facilitate the development of therapeutics and diagnostics. Moreover, BSI can serve as the platform for many research, clinical diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic assays. About the products. Consisting of a simple optical train employing a He-Ne laser, a microfluidic channel, and a position sensor, the BSI platform is scalable, with possible system configurations ranging from miniaturized appliance-scale and hand-held devices to automated, high throughput, multiplexed systems. Molecular Sensing is focusing its near-term product development efforts on manual and automated multiplexed systems for benchtop research. Near-patient and hand-held, point-of-care tools for clinical diagnostics and industrial point-of-analysis applications are planned. Our first generation appliance-scale, benchtop research product will measure both free-solution and surface-bound molecular interaction kinetic and quantitative end-point assays targeted for assay development in basic research, pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostic, and biodefense applications. About the opportunity. Molecular Sensing is actively seeking research collaborators to participate in its technology Early Access Program and commercial collaborators for research tools and diagnostic co-development partnerships.