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Business Buzz: Biochemical reactions in real time [Abilene Reporter-News, Texas :: ](Abilene Reporter-News (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 02--Resonant Sensor, a Fort Worth-based innovator of an optical sensor technology that can monitor biochemical reactions in real time, has selected ExperImmune to support its innovative sensor technology. Founded in 2013, Experimmune is a technology partnership between the Development Corporation of Abilene and an affiliate of the Center for Immunotherapeutics Development at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The company is an immunology-centric corporate entity formed to provide third-party validation services, product development and due diligence to support technologies like those found at TTUHSC and other academic institutions. The company also provides services to small and large biotechnology companies, major pharmaceutical companies and investment groups, said Jon Weidanz, ExperImmune's founding director and its chief scientist. Weidanz also is a professor and chair for the Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology at TTHUSC School of Pharmacy in Abilene. ExperImmune is housed in the Abilene Laboratories, formerly known as Abilene Life Sciences Accelerator facility, 1325 Pine St. It has access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and clean room facilities to perform immune-based assay design and biopharmaceutical development and production for preclinical validation, Weidanz said. In addition to immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic development, ExperImmune offers preclinical in vitro and in-vivo efficacy models for oncology, pharmacokinetic and immunogenicity studies. Though its focus lies within the immunology field, ExperImmune's research and development team have extensive experience in cancer biology, infectious disease, molecular and cellular immunology, proteomics and biomaterial science, Weidanz said. CHECK CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS The Better Business Bureau has issued a nationwide alert urging consumers to check their credit card statements for unexplained charges of $9.84 in connection with a new con used by scammers. Reports that reached the bureau's national office indicated the source listed on a consumer's bill is an unfamiliar nonbusiness website that claims to offer "customer support." And promises a 100-percent refund of the consumer's last payment. Steve Abel, president and chief executive officer of the Abilene Better Business Bureau, said the local office have not received any reports so far in the area. "These types of scams pop up from time to time," Abel said. "Another good reason to always, always, always keep a close eye on those charge card and bank statements." According to the BBB, the culprits are charging stolen credit card numbers for a small amount of money -- a charge of under $10 often flies under the radar, and is not noticed by card holders. It can be a "test" charge to see if a card number is valid, or could be the first of a recurring monthly fee. Typically when a card is compromised, the thief will make a small transaction to test the card followed by larger purchases if successful. Apparently, the expectation is that many cardholders won't notice the relatively small charge, and the credit card companies won't go after such a minor sum. There have been many instances in which thieves will purchase gift cards, then throw the stolen debit or credit card away. The bureau strongly urges those who may have received such charges to immediately call their providers and request a new credit card. I'd like to hear from you so if you have business story ideas or items you'd like considered for this column, please send them my way. You can reach me at 325-676-6781 or at [email protected]. You also can follow me on Twitter: @jmangalonzo. ___ (c)2014 the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) Visit the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) at www.reporternews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |