SBIR-STTR Award

Fullerene Nanomedicine to Enhance Neuronal Adenosine Triphosphate Production Capacity
Award last edited on: 4/12/2010

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$69,996
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
A09-059
Principal Investigator
Zhiguo Zhou

Company Information

Luna Innovations Incorporated (AKA: Luna Technologies~Fiber & Sensor Technologies Inc~F&S Inc~Lumin Inc)

301 1st Street Sw Suite 200
Roanoke, VA 24011
   (540) 769-8400
   solutions@lunainc.com
   www.lunainc.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 06
County: Roanoke city

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2010
Phase I Amount
$69,996
Cognitive performances are significantly reduced for older soldiers, due to the reduced production of the primary energy molecule of the body - adenosine triphosphate. The aging-dependent mitochondrial insufficiency is thought to play a dominating role. The development of a therapeutic drug which can enhance ATP production and improve energetic capability is crucial to maintain soldiersÂ’ performance and extend their duty-time. The current attempts to counter mitochondrial insufficiency include frequent exercise and antioxidants, but the effects are very limited. Luna Innovations proposes to use nanomedicine technology to develop prototype compounds with stimulatory effects on neuronal ATP production. Luna has developed an extensive portfolio of fullerene nanosphere compounds which showed promises in treating aging-related diseases. Fullerene nanospheres are thought to scavenge the toxic free radicals generated in mitochondria, enhance the electron transport capacity in oxidative phosphorylation, and build a greater potential gradient across the inner membrane, efficiently driving ATP Synthase. In Phase I, Luna will develop and validate a high throughput screening assay based on the ATP-requiring luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence, and test nanosphere compounds to build a structure-activity relationship for designing and testing more compounds in Phase II.

Keywords:
Atp, Mitochondria, Antioxidant, Nanomedicine, Fullerene, High Throughput Screening

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
----
Phase II Amount
----