About Mitoscan

Mitoscan tests involve the exposure of submitochondrial particles (SMP) to chemicals, chemical products, or environmental samples to determine the effects of those agents on enzyme systems bound to the inner membrane of mitochondria. Submitochondrial particles are fragmented inner mitochondrial vesicles isolated from beef heart with more than 60 fully functional enzymes interacting in a highly concerted fashion. The Mitoscan production process inverts the orientation of SMP (compared to the in-vivo membrane) to directly expose enzyme sites to test material. The target enzyme systems located on the surface of the submitochondrial particles are associated with cellular electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation.

The use of SMP for toxicity testing was invented by Drs. George A. Blondin and John M. Harkin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Water Resources Center. Kits for conducting tests are available through Harvard Bioscience (Holliston, MA, USA). AquaTox Research, Inc. is an independent contractor providing testing services with Mitoscan to interested parties.