The lab has expertise in neuro-cellular and molecular biology as well as protein neuro-biochemistry. The Initial thrust was based on the analysis of ligand-receptor specificity of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) binding. This lead to a search for the discovery of innovative ways to select and use molecular makers (immunological and viral methods). It has been a life-long quest to use non-toxic markers as a mode quantification and validation of the impact of neurological diseases. In the past decade, the focus has narrowed to selected silica-based nanoparticles as ideal molecules for the dual purpose of diagnostic and therapeutic. The culmination of that work involves the development medical software and computational imaging in in vivo projects. The newly designed nanoparticles have been used in multiple projects from cancer to brain development studies and work on the impact of neuro-toxicants. Recently we expended the development and use of nanoparticles. In 2012, NanoMedTrix was founded, a spin off tech company. The idea was to capitalize on advances in the diagnostic methods uniquely non-invasive, real-time capable and make the products available to the research community through our commercial enterprise. This approach has all the promises of innovative therapies. Currently we are collaborating with colleagues at the medical schools and throughout the campus and beyond (both scientific and clinical), who play an integral part on the search for novel applications.