Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology Awards $3.2 Million for Tech Projects in Butte, Missoula, Billings, Bozeman and Sidney

Today Governor Brian Schweitzer announced that the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology (MBRCT)http://businessresources.mt.gov/BRD_RCT.asp recently awarded 23 research grants totaling $3.2 million in funding. The 23 grants were selected from the 68 proposals submitted to the Board in March 2007.

"Montana’s economy benefits greatly from research projects," said Governor Schweitzer. "Many technology-based companies are drawn to centers of research activity. We’re seeing this trend in Bozeman, Missoula and Butte, and we support the good paying jobs that are created as a result."

The Board has funded 127 research projects totaling $30 million since it began funding research and technology development projects in Montana in 2001. At least 27 percent of the total projects funded have been related to supporting production agriculture. An additional $35 million in matching, non-state government funds have also been applied to these projects. Since the program’s inception, these projects have attracted $141 million in follow-on funding.

"It has long been known that research is universally recognized as a key component of economic development," said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "It is important that we continue to support projects with a high potential for commercialization across all business sectors as we develop Montana’s greater participation in the global economy."

"The Research and Commercialization program has funded many excellent research projects," said John Youngberg, Chairman. "A number of projects have resulted in the commercialization of products and these, along with other projects funded by the Board, have the potential to significantly improve Montana’s opportunities for economic growth."

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The next application deadline is expected to be on or around March 1, 2008. http://businessresources.mt.gov/Includes/RCT/2008_Guidelines.pdf

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Awardees who will receive their funds after a contract is signed are:

A Proposal to Develop a Non-Invasive Clinical Device that is Effective in Clearing Persistent Infections in Prosthetic Knee Implants (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $74,442
Tens of millions of prosthetic devices are implanted yearly in the United States. Unfortunately, long term and very difficult infections occur in an estimated 1.3 million implant patients. If a prosthetic, such as a knee, develops a recalcitrant infection, the base cause is probably a biofilm on some surface of the knee and, if this is the case, there is no existing means of clearing the infection without removing and re-implanting the knee. The aim of the proposed work is to use specific magnetic fields to induce currents in the knee which will enhance the efficacy of an antibiotic to achieve sterilization of the prosthetic. The technology involved was originally developed by Dr. McLeod and two colleagues, Dr. A.R. Liboff and Dr. S.D. Smith, for use in healing non-union bone fractures in humans. The clinical device resulting from that research is now FDA approved for two uses, non-union bone fractures and spinal fusions, and it is being successfully used to enhance bone growth in patients around the world. The hypothesis for the proposed work is that since bone cells can be growth stimulated by externally applied magnetic fields, it should be possible to increase the metabolism of bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis in a biofilm and hence increase their intake of an antibiotic.

Enhancement of Applied Translational Research in Biomedicine (University of Montana, Missoula) – $225,000
The goal of the project is to continue building an applied/translational biomedical research enterprise in the study and treatment of diseases of the nervous system. This effort is intended to directly promote interactions between university researchers, hospital clinicians and private sector biotech/biomedical companies in a manner that positively impacts the state’s economy. The project leverages $10 million in grant support for basic neuroscience research by the University of Montana’s Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Structural and Functional Neuroscience. Scientists participating include those affiliated with the Center, as well as those in private sector research entities, such as St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, and emerging Biotech companies in Montana. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of novel diagnostics, devices and/or therapeutic agents related to the treatment of brain injury or disease. In the past few years, these efforts have led to the development of a number of patents and the establishment of at least three biotech spin-off companies in Montana. The award will be used to support a number of endeavors, including seed projects to develop and refine intellectual property that will be commercialized in the private sector, the maintenance of high-tech, high-cost shared instrumentation as a statewide research resource, the training of students, and the continued promotion of collaborative projects between Center researchers and biotech/biomedical companies in Montana.

Developing a High-Power, Fiber Coupled, Electro-Optic Amplitude Modulator (AdvR Inc., Bozeman) – $146,348
AdvR’s goal is to develop a fiber coupled optical amplitude modulator using bulk engineered electro-optic (voltage controlled) crystals. The development of this product will involve a two-pronged research effort. The first objective will be to optimize the performance of an electro-optic crystal in order to deflect a laser beam out of an optical fiber with a high extinction (on/off) ratio, low drive voltage, and a high optical power material damage threshold. The second objective will be to develop a package suitable for a wide range of applications. The package design will serve as a platform for future product efforts that will utilize similar bulk engineered materials, including fiber switches, beam deflectors, and bulk frequency converters. Commercial potential also exists for the electro-optic amplitude modulator in non-telecom, scientific based applications. AdvR will use the MBRCT funding in conjunction with funding from a NASA SBIR Phase II contract to meet this goal.

Precision Absorbance Colorimetric Sensor (PACS) (Sunburst Sensors, LLC, Missoula) – $74,710
Sunburst Sensors, LLC will develop a Precision Absorbance Colorimetric Sensor (PACS) to meet commercial demand from a wide range of chemical sensing applications. Sunburst Sensors manufactures chemical sensors that measure light intensity at different wavelengths to detect chemical species. This technology, exclusively licensed from the University of Montana, uses the light absorption at multiple wavelengths to obtain exceptionally stable and precise measurements. The company’s products focus on oceanographic applications. The aim of this project is to build a simple and inexpensive colorimetric sensor that can serve a broad market. It is expected that the adaptable PACS design will provide improved performance at costs competitive with existing products.

Research on Native Grass Seed Morphology to Guide Development of Core Technologies of the Arbuckle Native Seedster (Arbuckle Ranch, Inc., Billings) – $30,644
The project will complete core research on native perennial grasses describing harvest-related morphological characteristics of the plant and seed.† Research will be conducted on the species of 27 eastern states.† This will continue research recently finished on the western 21 states to complete the continental U.S.† The research will provide data to optimize design of two core technologies embodied in the Arbuckle Native Seedster, and provide essential data to assist development of the native grass seed industry.† Completion of the database for the U.S. will help the Seedster reach a new level of seed recovery efficiency, and help develop the entire native seed industry. The key to classifying seed of native grass species by morphology will guide efficient harvest.† Publication of the database will encourage development of the Montana native seed industry and accelerate nationwide adoption of Seedster technology by producers of the full spectrum of grasses.† This is an opportunity to establish a technology-based manufacturer in Montana with potential sales throughout North America and the world.†

Research, Development, Test and Evaluation of Adelos System (TerraEchos, Inc., Missoula) – $200,000
TerraEchos Inc. has licensed a sophisticated digital acoustic fiber optic sensor system (Battlescape Land Undersea Extensible Rayleigh Optical Scattering and Electronics – BLUE ROSE) and associated U.S. patents from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.† As licensed, TerraEchos is commercializing this technology for advanced surveillance, intelligence, and perimeter security integrated solutions associated with the protection of high-value critical infrastructure for both government and commercial markets.† During this project, TerraEchos will manufacture the first commercial system (Adelos(tm)) and collaborate with the Department of Energy Idaho National Laboratory for advanced testing and evaluation associated with national security requirements. It is anticipated that the Adelos system will meet both U.S. government and commercial needs for mission-critical, multi-layered security solutions and leverage significant value-add capabilities associated with network-based geospatial intelligence for distributed situational awareness.†

A New Approach to Discovering Biomarkers for Health and Disease Diagnosis in the Peptidome, using Zdyes (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $200,000
Montana State University proposes to adapt fluorescent Zdye reagents to identify low molecular weight biomarker proteins and peptides in the low molecular weight "peptidome" fraction of human blood plasma, which are diagnostic for health and disease states. Such biomarkers would form the basis for blood tests in humans and animals to allow early detection of increased risk of disease onset and/or assist in optimizing preventative steps. The specific goal of the proposed study is to develop the technology needed and to identify candidate biomarkers for type 2 diabetes from the human blood plasma peptidome. Incidence of type 2 diabetes has steadily increased in recent years, has reached 21 million patients in the U.S., and perhaps 250 million worldwide. Most people have considerable tissue damage from this disease by the time they are diagnosed and more practical and effective means of early detection for the disease are needed. The Zdyes are projected to facilitate searching more deeply into the blood plasma peptidome than previously possible to reveal peptide biomarkers that were previously undetectable.

Zero Voltage Switching Research (ILX Lightwave Corporation, Bozeman) – $159,673
ILX Lightwave, in collaboration with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Montana State University, is proposing research to develop a high efficiency current source targeted toward applications in the industrial and medical high power laser diode market. The optics industry’s development of a variety of high power laser diodes has led to the ever increasing demand for current sources that can deliver power exceeding 6,000 watts in a small, efficient, and inexpensive package. The market is in need of a solution that is lower in cost, has reduced power consumption, and is physically smaller in size. Traditional technical approaches have not been able to meet the requirements of this industry. The power supply design will then be commercialized by integrating it into products designed to target industrial and medical applications utilizing high power laser diodes.

S2 Material Based Frequency Stable Laser (S2-FSL) Technology Development for Coherent Optical Communications (S2 Corporation, Bozeman) – $250,037
S2 Corporation aims to commercialize its Spatial Spectral (S2) material-based Frequency Stable Laser (S2-FSL) technology for optical communications applications. The S2-FSL technology has emerged from several years of previously funded research and development at both Montana State University and at the company. Essentially, S2 Corporation takes good, commercial lasers and makes them better by locking them to tunable atomic transitions in the S2 crystals. This enables multiple independent laser systems to be frequency synchronized with high precision, independent of physical location and insensitive to environmental acoustic and pressure variations, with wide tunability. Multiple S2-FSL systems could be deployed in diverse environments such as on airplanes, submarines, satellites, and ground-based extreme environments and maintain a frequency lock relative to each other. Funds will be aimed at using two S2-FSL prototype devices and demonstrating point-to-point optical communications. Customers include both civilian and military agencies with interest in secure networking in air, space and sea.

Innovative Commercialization Strategies for Clean Coal and Geologic Carbon Sequestration in Montana (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $156,753
Montana has vast natural resources including 28 percent of the nation’s coal and significant, but mature oil fields. The maturity of the oilfields means lower production, but production can be increased by injection of CO2 into oil bearing formations in a process referred to as enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Researchers are also investigating methods to sequester CO2 emitted from coal-burning power plants. The goal of this project is to investigate the geologic conditions necessary to sequester CO2 underground over long periods of time. Kevin Dome, a geologic formation north of Great Falls, may offer a site for long-term carbon sequestration and at the same time provide a source of CO2 to be used in nearby oil fields in EOR applications. This research will determine the commercial feasibility of creating a CO2 gas storage reservoir, removing CO2 during periods of high demand for EOR, and sequestering CO2 captured within the region from clean energy developments.

Durum with Low Cadmium Uptake for Production in Montana (Montana State University, Bozeman/Sidney) – $54,000
Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential heavy metal that causes health problems for some people. Diet is the main source of Cd for nonsmokers, with cereal products, including durum, accounting for up to 20% of the daily intake. The current official standard for maximum level of Cd in wheat grain as stated by the World Health Organization is 0.2 ppm, and the European Union has adopted this level as the maximum allowed in domestic and imported durum. Europeans have traditionally purchased durum from the desert Southwest, which is no longer a reliable source. European durum buyers are looking for other sources of high quality durum with low Cd levels. Montana produces high quality durum, and may fill the market required by European durum buyers. Most durum genotypes grown in Montana accumulate Cd in the grain, resulting in pasta that contains Cd, so varieties with low Cd accumulation must be developed for Montana production. The low Cd-accumulation trait in durum is caused by a single dominant
gene. This project will identify durum lines with the low Cd-accumulation gene, which will be crossed onto high quality lines that are adapted to Montana.

Image-Guided Photodynamic Therapy to Sanitize Breast Cancer Draining Lymph Nodes (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $118,500
According to current World Health Organization figures, secondary lymphedema, a complication of breast cancer treatment, affects 400,000 women in the U.S. With more breast cancer survivors, this figure is on the rise. It has been termed "the forgotten disease" indicating that it is forgotten by oncologists because it is not immediately life-threatening. However, its impact on breast cancer patients and survivors is very significant. It is a debilitating and painful life long condition, developing after surgery and/or radiation treatment of breast cancer as a consequence of damaging the lymphatic drainage system of the breast and the arm on the affected side. The goal of this project is to develop a new deep tissue penetrating tumor imaging and cancer treatment modality that would greatly reduce the incidence of this complication. The imaging is based on emerging hyper-spectral imaging technology, and it will allow imaging the lymphatic system including lymph nodes at appreciable tissue depth. The treatment of cancer will utilize a new type of deep tissue penetrating two-photon assisted photodynamic therapy technology developed at Montana State University. A malignant cancer animal model will be used to conduct a series of "proof of principle" experiments showing that this novel approach results in excellent healing of the treated lymphatic tissues and a greatly reduced incidence of secondary lymphedema. The project is a spinoff of an earlier very successful MBRCT award that attracted significant venture capital. This earlier effort will spearhead the development of an Investigational New Drug for evaluating the therapy in human recurrent head and neck cancer.

Genetically Engineered Biophotonic Nanoprobes for Two-Photon Microscopy
(Montana State University, Bozeman) – $99,200
Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) is an advantageous new technology, which allows the imaging of biological objects with high spatial (3D) resolution deep within a tissue with minimized damage. Fluorescent proteins are especially attractive for TPLSM as fluorescent probes because they can be genetically targeted for expression in particular cell types, fused to targeting motifs, or engineered to be a biosensor. They can serve, for example, as site-specific markers for cancer diagnostics or as reporters of action potentials in neurons within the brain. The latter application can provide for optical imaging of neuronal activity with 3D resolution. The efficacy of TPLSM depends heavily upon the optical properties of the fluorescent proteins used by screening different mutants and selecting optimum excitation wavelength. This research will result in a new, strongly improved probe for two-photon microscopy of a wide range of biological objects and processes.

Identifying Genes Conferring Enhanced Cellulosic Ethanol Production Potential for Barley Straw and Forage (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $68,200
This project is a collaboration of plant and animal scientists at Montana State University that involves three major goals: 1) to identify barley genes within the 1,917 members of the USDA Spring Barley World Core Collection that will contribute to improvement of barley straw and forage as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production; 2) to determine if a correlation exists between ruminal fermentation (i.e. breakdown of forage or straw within the rumen of a cannulated cow) and in vitro enzymatic treatment of barley with commercially available enzymes; 3) to determine if a new statistical method called ‘association analysis’ is a sufficiently robust technique to identify useful genes merely by sampling a wide array of barley accessions in the World Core Collection rather than going through the lengthy process of producing a barley population that segregates for a gene of interest. The project will also provide estimates of the relative value of barley forage and straw as cellulosic ethanol feedstocks and will contrast barley with the favored perennial grasses of the U.S. Department of Energy, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and several species of the Miscanthus genus, neither of which have agronomic value beyond the potential to produce biofuel. As a result of this effort, we will produce barley varieties with more fermentable straw and superb grain quality that should increase profit potential for Montana barley growers.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Deployment of Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometers for Noxious Weed Mapping and Carbon Sequestration Site Monitoring (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $68,370
This project applies passive remote sensing technology to noxious weed management. Noxious weeds adversely affect Montana’s economy with annual losses estimated at $100 million. Most of these annual losses result from lost agricultural production as the noxious weeds reduce forage for livestock and remove productive cropland. One of the fundamental research needs for noxious weed management is the development of cost-effective, long term monitoring and mapping techniques for noxious weeds capable of covering large management areas. Researchers at Montana State University have partnered with Resonon, a Bozeman optics company, to develop a noxious weed mapping and monitoring strategy based on innovative spectral imaging technology developed by Resonon. The spectral imaging camera will be deployed on a small unmanned aerial vehicle and will be able to identify and map the noxious weeds through their unique reflectance spectral characteristics.

Broadband Direct Digital Conversion with Spatial Spectral Holographic Technology (Montana State University, Bozeman) – $149,478
The digital revolution has enabled computers to rapidly process vast amounts of data and aid in controlling our environment and solving real world problems. But, real world signals are mostly analog and must be converted to digital in order to be processed by high speed computers. As real world signals become more complex and come at higher speeds, more advanced means of signal digitization are needed. The Montana State University Spectrum Lab is exploring a revolutionary means of digitizing broadband analog signals. Broadband (over 10 gigahertz) analog electronic signals are converted to broadband optical signals and then spatial-spectral holographic (SSH) materials are used to capture the signals. After the SSH material captures the information, it can be easily digitized. The SSH material technology used is a Montana grown technology, developed by Montana State University and Montana companies (Scientific Materials and S2 Corporation). The MBRCT grant and matching funds will concentrate on developing and demonstrating SSH direct digital conversion technique, along with the associated enabling technologies that will enhance the technique’s speed and performance.

Collaborative Research Applications of Innovative Protein Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometer (Fluorescence Innovations, Inc., Bozeman) – $210,000
This research project involves Fluorescence Innovations, Inc. and scientists at the University of Montana (UM) and Montana State University (MSU). The UM project deals with prion proteins, which are implicated in various diseases, including chronic wasting disease. The MSU project deals with interactions between carbohydrate proteins and novel molecules. The instrument will also be used in an upper division teaching laboratory at MSU. Publications by the academic scientists in peer-reviewed journals will: (a) accelerate the instrument’s commercialization by providing independent validation of its compelling advantages for both scientific and educational purposes; and (b) provide the academic scientists with preliminary data they can use in future grant proposals to federal funding agencies.

Development of a Universal Kinase Assay for Ultra High-Throughput Screening in Drug Discovery (Fluorescence Innovations, Inc., Bozeman) – $105,000
Kinases are an important family of proteins that regulate cellular function via the phosphorylation of other proteins. However, certain kinases are thought to cause human diseases including cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, and are therefore relevant targets for drug discovery. The goal of this project is to develop and validate an advanced screening technology for discovery of potential drugs for disease-causing kinases. MBRCT funding will supplement a National Institutes of Health Phase I SBIR grant for development of a fluorescence lifetime-based kinase assay that can be used in high-throughput screening. It will also allow Fluorescence Innovations to screen a specific kinase target against a very large library of 140,000 compounds, which has been provided by the National Cancer Institute. Once the kinase assay has been successfully demonstrated, commercialization options include fee-for-service screening (kinase profiling), internal drug discovery, licensing the technology to other pharmaceutical companies, or selling kinase assays as off-the-shelf kits.

Sonographic Analysis for Rapid Detection of Varroa Mites and Other Pathologies without Opening the Beehive (Bee Alert Technology, Inc., Missoula) – $80,000
Bee Alert Technology, Inc. will perform research leading to the design of a hand-held device that can scan a honey bee colony, and quickly indicate the health of that colony. With the recent honey bee colony devastation from Colony Collapse Disorder, the crucial role of bee pollination has been brought to the attention of the general public. Currently colonies must be opened and visually inspected for pests and diseases, a skilled and time consuming process. Beekeepers, growers, and semi-skilled laborers armed with the "Bee Tricorder" scanner would have a tool to quickly detect weak and ill colonies. Montana has over 200 beekeepers and 137,000 active bee colonies. Bee Alert Technology is working to provide modern tools to an agricultural industry that has hardly changed its management methods since the 1850s.

Conduct and Complete Research and Development of a Novel and Sustainable Technology for Making Cellulosic Biobutanol Advanced Biofuel from Montana Wheat Straw (Resodyn Corporation, Butte) – $202,500
The purpose of this project is to conduct research and develop an integrated process to manufacture biobutanol from wheat straw. †This grant is matched by $700,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. Biobutanol is an advanced biofuel that has advantages over ethanol, a currently popular biofuel.† Biobutanol has higher energy content than ethanol, does not have to be blended with gasoline, and unlike ethanol, is compatible with the current gasoline distribution system.
More than 7 million tons of wheat straw are produced in Montana each year, and it has been determined that 3 million tons of waste wheat straw are easily available from this supply. This amount of wheat straw can be transformed into 270 million gallons of biobutanol per year. †The annual consumption of gasoline in Montana is just over 500 million gallons. The proposed process is environmentally friendly – it is being designed to use little water and will result in a minimum amount of waste product. The potential commercial benefits resulting from the project are significant. These include an increase in the utilization of an abundant Montana agricultural waste product, forming another link between the agricultural and the biofuel industry, providing additional income for the wheat producers, and creating new employment in rural communities.

Design of Ultra High Pressure Water Jet Cutting Pump (Montana Tech, Butte) – $198,476
Apex Technologies, Inc. has designed the first significant innovation in water jet cutting pumps in 20 years. The proposed research, coordinated by the RAVE Technical Development Center and performed at Montana Tech’s RAVE Creativity Forge, will utilize state-of-the-art analytical and fabrication tools to create a new prototype to further reduce energy consumption, improve manufacturability, and improve serviceability. The close collaboration between Apex and the RAVE Technical Development Center will positively impact both organizations. The research project will provide Montana University System students with unique opportunities to learn critical aspects of precision fabrication and high performance computing. Concurrently, Apex will be well positioned to penetrate the market with continuous innovation while utilizing students who may become some of Apex’s first new hires. The RAVE Technical Development Center is very excited at the possibility of replicating this model for other start-up companies in the state.

Preclinical Development of Desoxyn as a Neuroprotective Agent (University of Montana, Missoula) – $141,236
Desoxyn is currently FDA approved for the treatment of ADHD, narcolepsy and obesity. However, it has been recently demonstrated that Desoxyn may be used as a neuroprotective agent following stroke. Treating tissue culture models with Desoxyn following stroke-like conditions resulted in an 80-90% increase in neuronal survival and protection. Preliminary data also suggests an equally strong neuroprotective effect following stroke in an animal model. One of the most striking features of the Desoxyn-mediated neuroprotective effect is that the drug can be administered up to 16 hours after stroke and still be therapeutically effective. In contrast, Tissue Plasminingen Activator (TPA), currently the only approved stroke therapy on the market, is limited to administration within the first 3 hours after a stroke. In addition, TPA acts only to remove clots and does not have any neuroprotective capacity. If successful, this treatment has an enormously large world-wide market. MBRCT funding will allow further investigation of the neuroprotective effects of Desoxyn through rigorous preclinical testing in preparation for filing an Investigational New Drug application with the FDA.

Second Stage Field Clinical Trials & Bringing to Market of a Natural OTC ("Kre-Celazine") to Address Chronic Inflammation (All American Pharmaceutical, Inc., Billings) – $139,763
Millions of Americans have problems with chronic inflammation and are seeking alternatives to prescription medications. Inflammation is the core problem with respect to many diseases such as arthritis, allergies, Alzheimer’s, asthma, heart disease, gingivitis, autoimmune disorder and lupus. All American Pharmaceutical has developed a natural cure for chronic inflammation called Kre-Celazine and is continuing its research to determine its efficacy. The potential market for a natural treatment for chronic inflammation is very large and the company plans to sell Kre-Celazine as an over-the-counter topical cream and pill.