ARKANSAS: Local Startup Nanomatronix Receives $1.1 Million DOD Small Business Award
Nanomatronix, a local startup company that develops nanotechnology, microelectronics and biotechnology to provide solutions for the healthcare, energy and defense industries, has been awarded a $1.1 million Small Business Innovation and Research Phase II Award from the Department of Defense.
Kartik Balachandran, associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Arkansas, has been overseeing the research and development of the Advanced Microphysiological Brain Injury Technology (or AMBIT) Platform and has received a sub-award of $550,000.
The purpose of the award is to continue development of the Advanced Microphysiological Brain Injury Technology (or AMBIT) Platform. This is an organ-on-chip model that utilizes human, cell-based tissues to replicate brain injury pathophysiologies. The chip will enable researchers to model the transport of molecules across the blood-brain barrier before and after traumatic brain injury and examine the communication between different cell types, providing a useful tool for drug screening and toxicity studies.
“Nanomatronix is excited to collaborate with Dr. Kartik Balachandran to bring AMBIT to market,” said Angeline Rodriguez, a biomedical engineer who will oversee the grant at Nanomatronix. “The goal of this Phase II project is completion of a viable product and service.”