Company Profile

Background and Mission

Biophotonic Solutions, Inc., is a privately held research and development corporation. The corporation was founded in 2003 as a spinout from the research group of Professor Dantus, a recognized leader in femtosecond laser design and applications. The company focuses on the research and development of laser-based methods for detection and imaging in biotechnology market. Biophotonic Solutions, through a partnership with Michigan State University, has a growing patent portfolio in the fields of highly selective non-invasive imaging, microscopy, and photodynamic therapy using computer-controlled pulse shaping, i.e. 'smart' lasers.

Technology

Professor Marcos Dantus Ph.D., the founder of Biophotonic Solutions, Inc., has been developing laser methods to control nonlinear optical excitation of large biomolecules. Biophotonic Solutions aims to bring these methods to the market.

Key Personnel

Marcos Dantus, Ph.D., Founder and President

Professor Marcos Dantus was born in Mexico. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Brandeis University, Magna Cum Laude, in 1985. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from The California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, in 1991 under the direction of Professor Ahmed H. Zewail. His work focused on the development of Femtosecond Transition State Spectroscopy. He was a postdoctoral Research Fellow at Caltech until 1993, with Professor Zewail. His postdoctoral work involved the development of Ultrafast Electron Diffraction. In 1993, he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1999, and Professor in 2002. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Igor Pastirk, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Igor Pastirk is the Chief Technology Officer of BioPhotonic Solutions Inc. As a graduate student and then post doc in the Dantus Research Group, Pastirk implemented the MIIPS method for the characterization and correction of phase distortions in femtosecond laser systems. He is presently the principal investigator in an effort to detect chemical warfare agents using binary shaped femtosecond pulses coupled with mass spectrometry. These efforts have already been demonstrated capable of distinguishing among molecules with the same molecular weight such as positional and geometric isomers. Pastirk is also an expert on technology transfer which will become important as this project moves from laboratory demonstration to a rugged field ready instrument.

Company History
  • |  Founded 2003, Michigan Corporation
  • |  Received STTR Phase I contract from the Army Research Office for demonstrating feasibility of pulse shaping technology to detect warfare agents and explosives, 2004
  • |  Successfully completed Phase I and received STTR Phase II contract, for commercialization of pulse shaping technology that can be used to detect warfare agents and explosives 2005
  • |  First publication on multidimensional molecular recognition using shaped femtosecond laser pulses 2005
  • |  Entered long-term consulting and development relationship with industry-leading Coherent Inc, March 2006
  • |  Coherent commercially launches BSI's proprietary MIIPStm technology in May 2006
  • |  Presented research and development projects at LACSEA2006, ISSSR2006 and CLEO 2006
  • |  Two more publications August 2006
  • |  In partnership with MSU faculty, and Clark-MXR, Inc., BSI was awarded a first-round grant from Michigan's pioneering, highly competitive 21st Century Jobs Fund
  • |  Opens private R&D facility September 2006