Sttr phase I: a scalable bruchs membrane platform to find better treatments and a cure for age related macular degeneration

The National Science Foundation awarded $305,000 to Myxtek Bio, LLC on October 1, 2026 under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) for a Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project to validate a scalable laboratory model of Bruch's membrane using engineered self-assembling structural proteins.

The project addresses the lack of consistent, physiologically accurate laboratory models of Bruch's membrane, a thin eye structure central to age-related macular degeneration progression. Current systems cannot reproducibly control membrane thickness, stiffness, and permeability—features critical to disease modeling. The research will establish quality control standards for the protein material and define fabrication parameters governing membrane mechanical properties and transport characteristics, with the goal of producing standardized laboratory kits for academic researchers, pharmaceutical developers, and contract research organizations working in retinal disease research.

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss affecting millions of older adults worldwide. Improved preclinical models have the potential to accelerate therapeutic discovery, reduce research costs, and decrease dependence on animal models.

Work is performed in Logan, Utah with a period of performance from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business technology transfer (STTR) phase I project is to enable the development of a reliable laboratory model for age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. This disease affects millions of older adults and creates substantial personal and economic burdens through medical costs, lost productivity, and long-term caregiving. Progress in developing new treatments has been slowed by the lack of consistent and physiologically accurate laboratory models of bruch?S membrane, a thin structure in the eye that plays a central role in disease progression. This project will validate a scalable and reproducible membrane platform that can be manufactured in a standardized format for research use. By improving the accuracy and consistency of preclinical testing, the resulting technology has the potential to accelerate therapeutic discovery, reduce research costs, and lessen dependence on animal models. The commercial opportunity lies in supplying standardized laboratory kits to academic researchers, pharmaceutical developers, and contract research organizations engaged in retinal disease research within a well-funded and growing biomedical market. This small business technology transfer (STTR) phase I project seeks to validate a novel laboratory model of bruch?S membrane using engineered structural proteins that self-assemble into thin, tunable membranes. Age-related macular degeneration is closely associated with changes in the thickness, stiffness, and permeability of bruch?S membrane, yet existing laboratory systems cannot reproduce these features in a controlled and reproducible way. The research objectives are to establish quality control standards for the protein material, define fabrication parameters that govern membrane thickness and mechanical properties, and determine whether human retinal pigment epithelial cells respond consistently to independently produced membrane batches. The technical approach includes protein purity testing, controlled membrane fabrication, physical characterization of thickness and mechanical behavior, and measurement of cell barrier integrity and disease-relevant biomarker expression. The anticipated result is a reproducible, tunable in vitro membrane model that reliably induces stage-specific cellular responses associated with disease progression, establishing feasibility for further development and commercialization. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.