StabiLux Biosciences® is a Michigan Technological University (MTU) spin-out that has developed proprietary, high-brightness fluorophores (dyes) for biomedical applications, particularly for biomedical researchers using multi-color flow cytometry. Our NovoLux® High-Brightness Dyes™ offer a drop-in platform technology, allowing researchers to detect what was previously undetectable while enabling existing equipment to be used to its fullest potential without the need for additional parts or new software. 

CEO | STEVE TOKARZ, MBA

Steve Tokarz, CEO, is an experienced C-level entrepreneur, fundraiser and business developer. 30+ years of business and start-up experience. Founded Cantilever Investors Fund and Business Partners who are investor partners in StabiLux Biosciences®. Launched several businesses within Masco Corp. Exited first company after $14 mil raise.  Steve provides the business development and first-hand knowledge of how to commercialize new technologies and efficiently bring them to market.

He holds a BSE in Engineering Physics/Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan as well as an MBA from Indiana University.  Steve is leading the company through its early growth phase and responsible for fundraising and bringing additional talent to the team.

PRESIDENT, CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER | DR. YOKE KHIN YAP, PH.D.

Dr. Yap is the founder of StabiLux®. He is a professor of physics, and director of applied physics graduate program at Michigan Technological University (MTU). Dr. Yap earned a series of research honors, including the National Science Foundation CAREER award, Global Alumni Fellow of Osaka University, and the honorable "University Professor" at MTU. He has extensive expertise in our foundational technology and is supervising our research and development activity towards a commercially successful product launch. 

VP OF OPERATIONS | JONATHAN LEINONEN, MBA

Jon leads our Business Development and also assists in fundraising.  He has over 20 years’ experience working in the start-up community including the Michigan Tech SmartZone and with an internal start-up at EDS Corp. 

Jon is also active in the MI start-up space having close relationships with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST | DR. NAZMIYE YAPICI, PH.D., ORGANIC CHEMIST

Dr. Yapici is the lead scientist of our product research and development team. She has extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry and cellular biology. She is the principal investigator of our NSF STTR Phase II award. Dr. Yapici is leading a team of scientists, engineers, and assistant at StabiLux Biosciences®. In addition to her strong technical background, Nazmiye was trained with entrepreneurial skills through multiple business development programs including the NSF I-Corps team project. 

DIVERSITY

StabiLux is committed to recruiting talents from diverse backgrounds and expertise. Many of our team members, including our undergraduate interns (total of more than 15 so far) consist of talents from the under-represented groups. We believe in work culture enrichment via team diversity and are strongly committed to continuing to do so.

BROADER IMPACTS

Our high-brightness fluorophores (HBFs) development is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with a strong emphasis on broader impacts. We are also supported by NSF to develop high-brightness probes (HBPs) for virus detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). StabiLux is contributing to the societal and educational impacts in two major biomedical areas 1) flow cytometry for immunological use and drug discovery, and 2) PCR for virus detection to help combat COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Flow cytometry is a staple of biological research and clinical diagnostics. This cost-effective technology has contributed to innumerable advances in cancer, stem cells, immunology research, and cellular biology and is also useful for understanding diseases such as AIDS and cancer. Current flow cytometry testing equipment is limited by the reagents that are available in the marketplace. Even though the equipment is capable of utilizing simultaneous 30 color detection, the reagents can only effectively mark a few colors at a time before background noise (autofluorescence) and/or color channels start to blend (spillover). Although the current flow cytometer allows for such multicolor applications, existing fluorophore reagent technology inhibits the utilization of the hardware to its fullest potential. If more colors could be effectively used more subsets of data could be attained for a given test run improving data output and accelerating time to market for researchers and medical diagnostic discovery StabiLux’s high-brightness fluorophores (HBFs) can solve all of these problems. Our HBFs will 1) Allow better detection of cancer, and accelerate the development of stem cells and new immunological drugs. 2) Simplify the design and operation of the next generation flow cytometers. This will make flow cytometry more affordable for patients, hospitals, and research laboratories. 3) Allow reagent manufacturers to develop new products based on HBFs to detect what was previously undetectable.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most common virus detection method and the primary technique to accurately detect COVID-19. Based on StabiLux’s foundational high brightness dyes, the new NSF grant will develop high-brightness PCR probes that can detect viral RNAs at extremely low concentrations in a shorter time and higher accuracy. Our probes will expedite tests, reduce false detection, and accelerate vaccine and drug development to combat COVID-19 and any future pandemic. We are committed to saving lives and improving economic, social, and educational activities.

In addition, StabiLux is offering internship training to high-school and undergraduate students, to enhance their interest and experience in high-tech production. In fact, we are creating jobs and hiring some recent graduates from the University of Michigan and Michigan Tech University. Our team consists of members from underrepresented groups, and young talent with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.

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NSF Award for High-Brightness PCR Probes to Combat COVID-19 and Future Pandemic

StabiLux receives support from NSF to develop high-brightness PCR probes for faster and more accurate virus detection. Continue reading.

StabiLux® is Finalist at CYTO Innovation Showcase

For the second consecutive year, StabiLux® Biosciences was selected to be one of the Innovation Showcase finalists at the International CYTO convention. Continue reading.

StabiLux® Receives NSF STTR Phase II Award

StabiLux Biosciences® receives STTR Phase II award from NSF.
Continue Reading.

Startup using funds to help with local battle against COVID

StabiLux Biosciences is one of two Houghton-based, high-tech companies that recently received direct investments, or loans, from the state’s Tech Startup Stabilization Fund to assist them during the COVID-19 outbreak. Continue reading.

More Articles

• Professor Yap Receives the Honorific Title of Michigan Tech University Professor
• Rise and Shine: Brighter Medical Imaging 
• Professor Yap Wins Research Award
• StabiLux Sees Colorful Future
• News coverage from BioOptics World 
• News coverage from AUTM Newsbrief 
• ​News release from Michigan Technological University 
• ​StabiLux Biosciences receives a STTR Phase II award from the National Science Foundation
• New coverage from University of Michigan / Small Company Innovation Program SCIP)