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Flu News for Senior Citizens
Light Activated Coating That Kills Viruses Like Flu
is Headed to Market
'These are applications that can change the world,'
says scientist
 October 31, 2006 - Imagine if killing flu viruses
and other microbes were as simple as turning on a light. Exposing a
unique surface coating to light may in fact hold the key to protecting
us from virtually all viruses and bacteria, including the feared avian
flu. It's being touted as a possible "anti-pandemic" agent.
Laboratory testing of a novel, permanent nano-coating,
developed in collaboration by researchers at North Carolina State
University College of Textiles and Emory University School of Medicine,
has been shown to kill or inactivate most viruses and bacteria when
exposed to visible light.
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FLU 2005-06 |
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Early tests have shown that the coating kills 99.9
percent of influenza viruses and 99.99 percent of vaccinia virus, which
causes rash, fever, head and body aches.
The coating technology was developed by Dr. Stephen
Michielsen, associate professor in NC State’s College of Textiles, and
Drs. Igor Stojiljkovic and Gordon Churchward, associate professors at
Emory University’s School of Medicine in Atlanta.
NC State has applied for a patent on the invention,
which has been licensed to Research Triangle Park-based start-up
LaamScience, Inc. The company – whose name stands for Light Activated
Anti Microbials – has raised more than $400,000 in seed financing from
North Carolina angel investors that will enable it to optimize the
coating and begin developing product prototypes.
Prototypes will be used in performance trials
targeting hospital areas including waiting rooms.
The company is also developing a room air purifier
that incorporates its nano-coated filter technology. Other potential
application areas include anti-viral filter systems for airplanes and
businesses, as well as for a variety of uses for first responders and
the military, including anti-viral masks.
Perhaps equally important, the invention may be
used to make everyday objects resistant to viruses and bacteria in the
presence of light.
“We have many exciting opportunities to use these
proprietary coatings to stop infection before it causes disease and
death,” says Tom Roberg, chief executive officer of LaamScience.
“The technology developed at NC State and Emory
University provides a huge opportunity to impact the health and welfare
of people throughout the world.”
The invention grew out of Michielsen’s research
into nanotechnology and its use to modify the surface of polymers and
fibers. The thin coating is a type of dye that can be applied to the
surface of all types of fabrics and materials. When exposed to light,
the coating acts as a photo catalyst, sparking a chemical reaction with
air and killing most viral and bacterial microbes.
“In the presence of light, a specific reaction
takes place on the surface that makes the air poisonous to the microbes,
yet harmless to people,” Michielsen says. “The coating doesn’t wear out
and continually regenerates so it’s able to continue killing viruses
again and again.”
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Potentials the company sees |
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● An effective and inexpensive “viral
inactivating” safety mask similar to the “N95” masks currently worn by
many around the world.
> This new construction could protect 6 billion people around the
world with additional protection from viral pandemics.
● Automatic and continuous decontamination of
hospital facilities though “viral inactivating” furniture and wall
coverings in waiting rooms and all patient care areas.
> Infections received in hospitals result in almost 100,000 deaths
per year in the United States.
> Similar products are useful in child care centers, schools, and
a wide variety of places where people come together.
● Specially designed home and building air
filters which incorporate the coating.
● Specially designed airplane air filters which
can slow or eliminate the spread of pandemic disease between countries.
Equally important in today’s’ terrorism
environment, the technology can be used in protective uniforms for
government workers or citizens where pandemic disease and biological
agents are spreading. This could be a major factor in any country’s
“anti-pandemic” strategy.
>>
Click for LaamScience home page
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Michielsen presented the results of his coating
research last fall as part of the Achieve More Field Day series, which
is organized by the NC State’s Office of Extension, Engagement and
Economic Development.
The Achieve More Field Day invites industry
executives, venture capitalists and science and technology entrepreneurs
to campus to learn more about NC State’s research, resources and
partnership opportunities. Roberg heard Michielsen’s presentation and
approached him and the university about licensing, patenting, and
commercializing the coating technology.
“This is an outstanding example of how quickly
breakthrough research results can be brought to market when the right
conditions are present,” said Dr. A. Blanton Godfrey, dean of the
College of Textiles.
“NC State’s continuing focus on economic
development coupled with our traditional land-grant mission creates the
right atmosphere for bringing leading researchers together with
entrepreneurs. The potential economic benefit to the Triangle area and
state is only overshadowed by the potential benefit to the health of our
and the world’s population.”
LaamScience’s headquarters and laboratory are in
the Becton Dickinson Technologies’ incubator space in Research Triangle
Park, where the company will develop the coating technology for
commercial uses.
“The potential uses for this technology are
unlimited,” says Dr. Patrick Mize, LaamScience’s chief science officer.
“These are applications that can change the world.”
Dr. Stephen Michielsen, Chief Scientist,
LaamScience
 Dr. Michielsen received his Ph.D. in chemistry from
the University of Chicago. After a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford
University, he joined DuPont in their polymer and fibers businesses.
From there, he joined the faculty at Georgia Institute of Technology and
recently joined North Carolina State University in the College of
Textiles. Dr. Michielsen's research areas include the surface
modification and characterization of polymers at the molecular and
nanometer scales. Using this approach, he has enhanced antimicrobial
performance, altered wetting characteristics, and modified staining
performance of textiles. Dr. Michielsen has over 60 publications, book
chapters and conference proceedings.
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