Core Competencies
In vitro materials assessment
- Protein adsorption/fouling tendency (colorimetric/fluorescent readouts)
- Surface–cell and surface–microbe interaction assays on coupons, films, and device sub-assemblies
- Time-lapse observation of degradation/swelling and media-conditioned changes
Microbiology & antimicrobial performance
- Bacterial/fungal growth inhibition and kill-curve assessments (zone of inhibition, MIC/MBC screens)
- Biofilm formation, attachment, and removal efficacy on materials and coatings
Optics & microscopy
- Brightfield and fluorescence microscopy with differential interference contrast (DIC)
- Metallurgical microscopy for opaque materials, surfaces, and cross-sections
- Quantitative image analysis (particle size, coverage, porosity, feature tracking)
Bio-electronic interfaces & custom stages
- Design and fabrication of custom microscopy stages for electrical stimulation, bio-impedance measurement, temperature control, perfusion, and flow
- Bio-electromagnetic studies: exposure/stimulation fixtures for low-frequency to RF regimes (bench scale), field mapping/verification, and response characterization on cells or microbes
Electronics development
- Circuit design of analog front-end sensor interfaces
- Circuit design and integration of FPGAs and microprocessors for digital signal processing via firmware and embedded software
- Development of data acquisition systems
- Printed circuit board (PCB) design and prototyping
- Fabrication of custom low-noise interconnects and cabling
- Design of electro-mechanical test setups
Materials science & surface evaluation
- Contact angle / goniometer measurements for wettability and surface energy trends
- Mechanical/handling characterization at bench scale (tack, flexibility, peel/adhesion—qualitative to semi-quantitative)
- Accelerated soak/aging studies in physiologic or custom media
Synthetic chemistry (bench scale)
- Small batch synthesis and modification of nanomaterials, polymers, oligomers, and monomers
- Thin-film/coating formulation, dopants/additives screening, and curing/activation studies
- Safe handling workflows for common organics and aqueous systems; structured handoff to partners for scale-up or hazardous processes
Rapid prototyping for biomedical concepts
- Fixture and jig design for test methods
- 3D printing and light machining for holders, coupons, flow cells, and stage adapters
- Electronic prototyping (sensor integration, low-noise signal paths, shielding)
Validation & reproducibility
- Independent verification of published claims and vendor data under controlled conditions
- Fit-for-purpose protocol development, method transfer, and mini verification/robustness checks
Selected Methods & Readouts
- Assays: cell viability (e.g., metabolic or membrane-integrity dyes), live/dead imaging, hemolysis (screening), microbial CFU counts, biofilm biomass dyes, protein adsorption on materials, elution/extractables screens (non-GLP)
- Optical readouts: absorbance/fluorescence microplate endpoints, widefield/DIC/fluorescence microscopy with time-lapse
- Surface metrics: static/advancing/receding contact angles; qualitative roughness/defect imaging via metallurgical scope
- Electrical/EM: bio-impedance vs. frequency (impedance analysis bench instrumentation), stimulation waveform delivery, EM exposure characterization for benchtop fixtures
Formal GLP/ISO biocompatibility and regulated testing is coordinated via partners.
Custom Instrumentation & Test Development
- Bespoke microscopy stages (temperature, electrical contacts, microfluidics)
- Exposure systems for electromagnetic stimulation (coil/antenna fixtures)
- Coupons & holders to standardize material–biological interfaces (repeatable contact geometry)
- Data pipelines tying instruments to analysis scripts and traceable results
Partner Enabled (Outsourced) Capabilities
For deeper analytics or scale, we coordinate with specialized partners for:
- Chromatography: HPLC/UPLC/GC for leachables/extractables profiling and formulation analytics
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS): elemental/chemical state of surfaces and thin films
- Specialty material synthesis: complex monomers/bi-functional reagents, hazardous or scale-up chemistry
- Advanced characterization (as needed): LC-MS/MS, SEM, EDS, AFM, confocal microscopy, micro-CT, mechanical testing
- Biocompatibility screens (cell viability, cytotoxicity, adhesion/spread)
Example Developments
- Antimicrobial coating screens: biofilm and kill-curve performance vs. standard materials
- Surface engineering: contact angle tuning and protein fouling reduction on device substrates
- Bio-electronic prototypes: cell response under controlled electrical or EM stimulation
- Materials down-selection: in-vitro compatibility panel + microscopy-based mechanism insights
- Method development: custom fixtures/stages to measure relevant biometrics