Phylonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Carlos Semino

George N Serbedzija

Deanna M Frost

Shuguang Zhang

Elsa Genove

Patricia McGrath

The invention provides a self-assembling peptide comprising (a) a first amino acid domain that mediates self-assembly, wherein the domain comprises alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids that are complementary and structurally compatible and self-assemble into a macroscopic structure when present in unmodified form; and (b) a second amino acid domain that does not self-assemble in isolated form. In certain embodiments of the invention the second amino acid domain comprises a biologically active peptide motif, e.g., a peptide motif found in a naturally occurring protein, or a target site for an interaction with a biomolecule. In certain embodiments of the invention the naturally occurring protein is a component of the extracellular matrix, e.g., a component of the basement membrane. The invention further provides scaffolds comprising the self-assembling peptides and methods of using the scaffolds including for cell culture, tissue engineering, and tissue repair.

Self-assembling peptide incorporating modifications and methods of use thereof

Self-assembling peptides incorporating modifications and methods of use thereof

The present invention provides methods of screening an agent for activity using teleosts. Methods of screening an agent for angiogenesis activity, toxic activity and an effect cell death activity in teleosts are provided. The invention further provides high throughput methods of screening agents in multi-well plates.

Methods of screening agents for activity using teleosts

The present invention provides methods of screening an agent for activity using teleosts. Methods of screening an agent for angiogenesis activity, toxic activity and an effect cell death activity in teleosts are provided.

The invention provides methods of introducing heterologous cells into fish. After introduction cells remain viable, and in some instances proliferate, for sufficient time to conduct a variety of analyses on the heterologous cells or the fish or both. Such methods are useful for screening potential drugs for toxicity toward introduced cells or for capacity to stimulate differentiation and/or proliferation of introduced cells. Such methods are also useful for diagnosing the presence of small quantities of cancerous cells or pathogens in patient tissue samples. Such methods are also useful for culturing cells for subsequent use in cell or tissue engineering.

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Carlos Semino