Results, Success and Growth
The Dendrimer Center’s success has led to a growing demand for advanced facilities and equipment. In spring of 2006, CMU broke ground on a 17,000 square foot expansion to the existing incubation facility, supported by CMU and grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and U.S. Economic Development Administration. The new facility, completed in March of 2007, features state-of-the-art chemistry and bio-level laboratories, with facilities immediately available for lease.

The Dendrimer Center: The Leader in Applied Research
The Dendrimer Center continues to serve as a catalyst for new dendrimer-based research initiatives — yielding a growing body of valuable intellectual property. Working cooperatively on a broad range of research projects, CMU faculty and DNT researchers have filed numerous invention disclosures, publications and full patent applications.

The Center’s current research agenda focuses on several types of dendrimer and nanoscale sciences:

  • Drug encapsulation, release and disease targeting protocols are being established and tested for cancer therapy and anti-flammatory drug systems using a range of dendrimer carrier structures.
  • Researching cytotoxicity of dendrimers and other nanoscale structures.
  • The use of dendrimers as a catalyst in the production of carbon nanotubes at the lowest temperatures recorded.
  • The attachment of oligonucleotides to dendrimers for targeting, amplification or detection in biological systems.
  • Development of nuclear magnetic reagents which allow higher resolution and site specific targeting to disease or inflamation.
  • The stabilization of nano-crystals or quantum dots with unique optical, electronic or other properties for use in bio-labeling, and flat panel display technologies.
  • Development of lower-cost synthetic routes to new proprietary dendrimers and dendritic polymers.
  • Development of dendrimers as in-vivo nano-diagnostic agents and devices.
CMU Faculty
Minghui Chai, Chemistry
Brad Fahlman, Chemistry
Jim Falender, Chemistry
Marco Fornari, Physics
Stan Hirschi, Physics
Bobby Howell, Chemistry
Anton Jensen, Chemistry
George Kaminski, Chemistry
Dillip Mohanty, Chemistry
Valeri Petkov, Physics
Leela Rakesh, Mathematics
Ajit Sharma, Chemistry
Andy Sieradzan, Physics

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Advanced Analytical Equipment
The Dendrimer Center’s success has led to a growing demand for advanced facilities and equipment. A new facility, which opened in March 2007 features state-of-the-art chemistry and bio-level laboratories, with facilities immediately available for lease.

Dendrimer Center leading edge analytical equipment critical to conducting advanced nanotechnology research activities:
  • 500 MHz and 300 MHz NMR Spectrometers
  • MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer
  • Capillary Electrophoresis Systems
  • HPLC
  • GPC (aqueous)
  • High Temperature GPC
  • Light Element Detector for SEM
  • Reflectance IR Accessories
  • Molecular Modeling Software and Facilities
  • Microwave Processors
  • Reflectance Film Thickness Analyzer
  • Fluorimeters
  • 2D Electrophoresis System
  • Freeze Dryer Facilities
  • PCR Thermocycler
  • -90°C Freezer
  • X-Ray Tube

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