Award Abstract # 1003778
SBIR Phase IB: Nano-scale Engineering via Grid-scale Computing: Designing, Optimizing and Manufacturing Cancer Therapeutics

NSF Org: TI
Translational Impacts
Recipient: PARABON NANOLABS, INC.
Initial Amendment Date: December 28, 2009
Latest Amendment Date: December 28, 2009
Award Number: 1003778
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Arkilic Errol
TI
 Translational Impacts
TIP
 Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Start Date: January 1, 2010
End Date: June 30, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $50,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $50,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2010 = $50,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Steven Armentrout (Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Parabon NanoLabs, Inc.
11260 ROGER BACON DR
RESTON
VA  US  20190-5203
(703)689-9689
Sponsor Congressional District: 11
Primary Place of Performance: Parabon NanoLabs, Inc.
11260 ROGER BACON DR
RESTON
VA  US  20190-5203
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
11
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): MXWGP7E3TFM8
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): SBIR Phase I
Primary Program Source: 01001011DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 5371, 6850, 9139, HPCC
Program Element Code(s): 537100
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.084

ABSTRACT

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of engineering a new class of cancer therapeutics. They will be constructed from DNA nanostructures that can be functionalized with both molecular systems for targeting tumor cells and therapeutic payloads for their destruction. This project focuses on a CAD (computer-aided design) application, powered by a grid of several thousand computers, that solves what had been the major impediment to progress in the field of DNA nanotechnology: the intractable task of calculating the sequences of DNA required for self-assembly and functionalization of target nanostructures.

The development platform, if successful, will provide a novel ability to rapidly engineer and re-engineer multi-functional macromolecules from molecular subcomponents. The company will use this capability in an attempt to create high value nano-products and related intellectual property for select vertical market segment. Inspired by early validation from the pharmaceutical industry, management has chosen to first pursue the cancer therapeutics market. However, the domains to which this CAD technology can apply are broader. For example, the research team has also created designs for detergent additives to improve the laundering of polyester and nanoarrays for detecting the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms for a hand-held biometric device. If proven feasible, this CAD platform will address a wide array of commercial opportunities in many industrial sectors.

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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