Acousto-optic technology developer Brimrose Technology Corp. has announced the opening of a new biotechnology division. One focus of the new sector will be the utilization of the bacteriophage virus and phage lytic enzymes for the treatment, prevention, control and detection of specific bacteria. It is also working on the development of fluorescence strips for the rapid and sensitive detection of bacteria, viruses and toxins based on immunological reactions. The company has signed memoranda of understanding with the Eliava Institute in Tbilisi, Georgia; Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Nanjing, China; NHDetect in Reisterstown, Md.; New Horizons Diagnostics Corp in Arbutus, Md.; and the International Phage Research Center to focus on the life sciences market. The Eliava Institute will work with the division to offer a series of unique bacteriophage products to replace antibiotics in poultry feed and other products. New hires include Dr. Yingyun Liu, who will work on the application and detection of lytic enzymes, and NHDetect director David Trudil, who will coordinate efforts with the Reisterstown company, as well as New Horizons Diagnostics Corp., a testing manufacturer for bacteria and toxin detection. Brimose is a developer of II-VI semiconductors, quantum dots, lightweight optics for space applications, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, spectropolarimetry, counterfeiting detection, unattended ground sensing, acousto-optic components development, mid-IR lasers and drone analysis.