The directors of Iatia Ltd (ASX:IAT) have entered the field of nano-biotechnology with a research contract from Xradia, Inc. a Californian producer of nanoscale products and analyser of nano samples/specimens.

Xradia was set up in 2000 to develop nondestructive high-resolution x-ray imaging microscopes for the semiconductor and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) industries.

Xradia has a grant from the National Institute of Health, under their nanobiotechnology grant scheme, to develop a projection system to image small animals like mice.

They are planning to use Iatia's QPI phase retrieval technique to image both the bone structure and the soft tissues of the mice, which are used in all kinds of medical experiments including the study of cancer tumour growth and treatment. For these studies Xradia needs to image the soft tissues accurately and the x-ray beam must pass through the living mouse, including the skeletal structures, without damaging the mouse.

The advantage of Xradia's technology is that it allows for the study of tumours in live mice (they do not have to be dissected), which significantly improves laboratory and research efficiencies and the accuracy of results and gives a 3D image of the sample.

Xradia has emerged as a leader in x-ray microscopy with the development of tabletop x-ray microscopes (synchrotrons for use in laboratories) that can non-destructively examine nano-samples and specimens with high resolution, accuracy and sensitivity.

This US$20,000 contract is seen as being the first step in the development of a new product range of x-ray microscopes to be marketed by Xradia that will incorporate Iatia's unique image enhancement technology for medical research.