SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is commercial evaluation of new analytical reagents and methods discovered and being discovered by the Center for Bioanalytical Research at the University of Kansas. The specific technology which will be examined is concerned with new analytical methods which would allow several-fold greater sensitivity in measurement of amino acids and peptides in biological matrices than is possible with the current state-of-the-art technology. The reagents and methods to be developed under this proposal are of major commercial value in that the capability they represent is essential for 1. commercial development of many new drugs and products of bioengineering, 2. basic research in many biomedical areas by providing analytical methodology for the detection of extremely low (femtogram) levels of bioactive materials, and 3. clinical bioanalysis of peptide-like drugs whose action is related to the control and/ or release of endogenous peptides.Two classes of derivatizing reagents will be examined: 1. fluorogenic reagents; and 2. electroactive derivatizing reagents.During Phase I, some of the new chemistry which has already been developed will be tested for possible use in HPLC systems for both precolumn and postcolumn derivatization. In Phase II the derivatization methodology will be optimized and analytical instrumentation for the system will be built to demonstrate the commercial value of the analytical methodology.National Institute on Aging (NIA)

The objective of this project is to develop a selective and sensitive method for the trace analysis of bioactive amines in biological matrices. The methodology exploits the use of fluorogenic derivatization be c au se many biogenic amine s , such as amino acids and peptides, lack the physicochemical properties that would allow their quantification at physiologically relevant levels. The novel technology is derived from the ability of primary amines to form fluorescent isoindole-type derivatives in the presence of aromatic dicarboxaldehydes and appropriate nucleophiles. Relative to the current methods of primary amine analysis, the newly discovered assay offers improved sensitivity and product stability, and greater versatility.Long-range goals of this program include: (1) the design and synthesis of new, effective dicarboxaldehydes, (2) the exploration of new, superior nucleophiles, (3) the evaluation of the potential of benz(pisoindole as an effective chemiluminescence emitter, (4) the optimization of reaction conditions for biologically important amines, and (5) the development of assays for biogenic amine analysis. The technology to be developed is essential for the research and development of peptide- and protein-based products in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and in the detection of bioactive amines in biomedical research and diagnostic laboratories.National Institute on Aging (NIA)