HATTIESBURG -- The University of Southern Mississippi has been awarded $2 million for the further development and commercialization of a new biosensor technology that can help protect the nation’s food supply.

 

 Toxin Guard™, a system patented by the biotechnology company Toxin Alert, places antibody-based tests on polymer packaging films to detect pathogens or other selected microorganisms. Plans for the commercial development of Toxin Guard™ include developing and constructing a reagent plant in the Hattiesburg area. The company aims to leverage its patented technology into a commercialized food safety product.

Under an existing research and development agreement between Southern Miss and Toxic Alert, the Toxin Guard™ technology is available for licensing in the United States to commercial and government users by Toxin Alert and Noetic Technologies Inc., the commercialization arm of the University of Southern Mississippi.

“Toxin Alert has developed polymer-based sensors that enable rapid, inexpensive and simple detection of pathogens, select agents and other potential bio-terror substances,” said Southern Miss President Shelby Thames. “The applications of this technology in homeland security are numerous and include rapid bio-screening of food supplies, rapid detection of airborne pathogens such as anthrax and bio-secure packaging of blood and food supplies.”

The $2 million in funding for the project was appropriated in the fiscal 2006 budget of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In addition to this funding, Southern Miss and Toxin Alert have development programs in progress with the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal and the Port Graham Development Corporation of Alaska. It is anticipated that these programs will also be funded in the fiscal 2006 budget for the U.S. Armed Forces.

Toxin Alert’s President Bill Bodenhamer said, “The University of Southern Mississippi has one of the premier polymer chemistry schools in the world, and Mississippi is one of the most progressive areas in economic and industrial development. There is no better place to develop the first practical polymer-based biosensor system to be available on a large scale for a reasonable cost.”

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.