MyxTek Bio

Science-Driven Solutions from Nature.

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Our Team.

Meet the team behind MyxTek Bio.

Dr. Justin Jones

Co-Founder

Dr. Justin Jones, Associate Professor of Biology at Utah State University, has nearly 30 years of experience in protein biochemistry, structure, and function. He is recognized for discovering the functional properties of hagfish intermediate filaments, advancing the field of biomaterials and protein engineering. His research continues to drive innovation in next-generation textiles and biomedical materials.

Christian Iverson

Co-Founder

Christian Iverson brings over 20 years of expertise in biotechnology research, commercialization, and startup management. As a co-founder of Quansys Biosciences and is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Utah State University, he has a proven track record in intellectual property, licensing, and biotech commercialization. At MyxTek, he leads efforts to translate scientific discoveries into scalable applications.

Dr. Elizabeth Vargis

Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Vargis, Associate Professor of Biological Engineering at Utah State University, specializes in biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and regenerative medicine. With training from UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Lab, and UT Knoxville, she directs research at the intersection of biology and engineering. As faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers, she is also dedicated to advancing the next generation of scientists and engineers.

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Dr. Paula Oliveira

Dr. Paula Oliveira, Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Justin Jones’s laboratory at Utah State University, has expertise in recombinant protein technology and biomaterials development. She plays a central role in advancing and scaling hagfish intermediate filament production, enabling new applications in biomedical research and regenerative medicine.

Kristin Durrant

Kristin Durrant is a PhD student in Biology at Utah State University, focusing on protein engineering and biomaterial applications. Her research develops recombinant hagfish intermediate filaments as scaffolds to promote neural cell growth and regeneration, bridging fundamental science with translational medicine.

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Hannah Feinsilber

Hannah Feinsilber is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry at Utah State University with experience in biomaterials research and technology commercialization. In addition to her doctoral studies, she has worked with Technology Transfer Services, leading efforts in marketing, licensing, and partnerships.

Cell Culture

Photo by Aaron Fortin

Photo by Aaron Fortin

Biomimetic Bruch’s Membrane Model for AMD Research

MyxTek Bio has engineered a biomimetic Bruch’s membrane model built from recombinant protein materials that precisely mimic the native human extracellular matrix. This tunable research model reproduces both healthy retinal tissue and pathological conditions seen in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a disease affecting more than 196 million people worldwide.

Unlike animal-derived membranes or synthetic polymer systems, MyxTek Bio’s model delivers biological fidelity, mechanical realism, and scalable reproducibility, accelerating drug discovery, disease modeling, and retinal cell research.

Key Advantages

Reproducible & scalable

Biologically relevant

Mechanical fidelity

Oxidative tunability

Controlled permeability

Applications

High-throughput AMD drug screening

Mechanistic disease modeling and biomimetic tissue research

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) culture optimization

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See in Action

Hagfish-Derived Neural Growth & Regeneration Platform

MyxTek’s recombinant hagfish intermediate filament scaffold supports robust neuronal growth and regeneration overcoming the limitations of synthetic biomaterials. Our bioengineered hagfish protein matrix provides an advanced, scalable platform for neuroscience research, neuro prosthetic interfaces, and regenerative medicine, addressing a global need with over 3 billion people affected by neurological disorders.

Key Advantages

Promotes neuronal cell viability and network formation

Enhances neurite outgrowth and axon regeneration

Strengthens cell attachment and scaffold stability

Maintains long-term neural health in vitro

Compatible with stem-cell-derived neurons and organotypic cultures

Applications

Neural cell growth assays and neurotoxicology testing

Disease modeling for over 600 neurological disorders

Neuro-regeneration and stem cell differentiation studies

Bioelectronic and neuro prosthetic interface development

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Fibers & Fabrics

Photo by Aaron Fortin

Recombinant Hagfish Protein Fibers: Spider Silk–Like Strength with Scalable Production

MyxTek’s recombinant hagfish intermediate filament proteins form the basis of a next-generation biomaterial fiber that rivals—and in some cases exceeds—the performance of spider silk. These bioinspired fibers combine tensile strength, elastic resilience, and biocompatibility, offering a sustainable alternative for technical textiles and biomedical materials.

Through precision genetic engineering and recombinant protein expression, MyxTek Bio enables high-yield, scalable production of hagfish-derived fibers with tunable physical properties for diverse industrial and scientific applications.

Key Advantages