Researchers from two US start-up biotechnology companies MetriGenix Inc., and NeuralStem Inc. have joined forces to create so-called “neurochip” biosensors in order to study diseases of the brain and develop drugs designed to treat them. The chips, which will be made using state of the Flow-Thru Chip technology developed by MetriGenix and stem cells patented by NeuralStem, will help scientists to predict how experimental drugs will affect the brain. An advancement that will enable pharmaceutical companies to speed up the drug discovery process and develop drugs with fewer side effects. The companies plan to develop neurochips that contain genes associated with specific diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia. The first chip is expected to be available within 6-9-months.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.washingtonpost.com on the 8th August 2001
