FFA Sciences LLC develops molecular assays for basic research, drug discovery and clinical medicine. The firm's most widely used products are ADIFAB and ADIFAB2 , fluorescent probes that can be used in a broad spectrum of applications; for example, to determine lipase activity, to measure serum unbound free fatty acid levels, to determine fatty acid binding to membranes and proteins, and in drug screening. Using proprietary technology platform, have created an array of new molecular assays to detect levels of unbound free fatty acids and other unbound metabolites. For instance, we have developed an assay for bilirubin. Also developed is a hand-held, battery operated ratio fluorometer to enable quickly and inexpensively measurement of unbound FFA with ADIFAB or ADIFAB2. Elevated levels of unbound free fatty acids are associated with several disease states including ischemia, diabetes and cancer. Unbound, rather than total free fatty acid levels, provide the most sensitive indicator of the pathologic state. The new assays being developed in our metabolomics program will provide powerful new tools for basic research and clinical medicine. Metabolomics program is supported in part by a grant from the NIH Roadmap initiative in Metabolomics Technology Development.
