Impact Proteomics receives NSF Small Business Innovation Research Award

Impact Proteomics, co-founded by Biological Sciences Professor Jonathan Minden and Ph.D. candidate Amber Lucas, has received a $225,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the National Science Foundation for further development of their universal proteome sample preparation technology. 

The award will allow Impact Proteomics to apply their patent pending technology to develop a fast, high yield proteome sample preparation and cleanup kit that can be easily automated, with the ultimate aim of standardizing sample preparation for the proteomics field. 

Proteomics, the study of all proteins in a biological system, is critically important for development of life saving therapies and diagnostics.  However, preparing samples for proteomics workflows currently suffers from sample loss, tedious workflows, and a lack of standardization and automation.  This has prevented the proteomics field from reaching its full potential. 

The SBIR award provided by the NSF will allow Impact Proteomics to apply their patent pending technology to develop a fast, high yield proteome sample preparation and cleanup kit that can be easily automated, with the ultimate aim of standardizing sample preparation for the proteomics field.  This will enable faster, deeper proteomics-based discovery that is vital for the creation of new therapies and diagnostics for those suffering from disease, providing a large positive societal impact.

The SBIR program was established to encourage technological innovation and encourage private commercialization of federally funded academic research.  Highly competitive SBIR awards provide a way for startups and small businesses to explore high impact, innovative ideas that have great potential for commercialization.  Investments provided by the SBIR program have led to the commercialization of ground breaking technologies and encouraged entrepreneurship in the United States, ensuring that federal funding for research and development leads to innovation that will have a positive impact on human lives and builds a strong American economy. 

The program is a three phase program that aims to fund companies from idea to commercialization.  With Impact Proteomics receiving a Phase I award over the course of a year, they will have an opportunity to apply for the Phase II award upon completion of their Phase I goals at the end of 2019.