University of California

Edward Nelson

Mark Bachman

Nicholas Max Gunn

Kenneth J Shea

Szu-Wen Wang

Krista Fruehauf

Tae Il Kim

For applications in drug delivery, 'smart' materials have been designed to respond to conditions within microenvironments of tissues or cells. The present invention features stimuli-responsive cross-linked hydrogels that respond to specific metabolites of disease. For example, protein-polymer materials of the present invention are configured to release their drug cargo upon encountering the higher lactate concentrations within tumor microenvironments.

Protein-polymer hybrid biomaterials

Systems and methods that facilitate magnetic collection and/or manipulation of individual micropallets are provided. The embodiments provided herein are directed to a new method for collecting micropallets once released from a substrate. It is accomplished by endowing the micropallets with magnetic properties by incorporating ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticles into the photoresist material or otherwise incorporating magnetically responsive material into the micropallet structure. The magnetic particles, which posses magnetic qualities, e.g., ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, paramagnetism, and are composed of iron, nickel, and/or other magnetic materials, are mixed into the bulk photoresist prior to its use in the fabrication of microstructures. Also covered are other methods of incorporating magnetically-attractable material into the micropallet structure, such as plating of the micropallets with a material that is magnetically responsive, such as nickel. Additionally, the embodiments provided include a 'collection probe' that is used to collect the released magnetic micropallets.

Magnetic recovery method of magnetically responsive high-aspect ratio photoresist microstructures

A recombinant polynucleotide encoding a Her2/neu target antigen is provided, as is a recombinant Her2/neu target antigen polypeptide. Also provided are methods of using such a recombinant polynucleotide to express a Her2/neu target antigen in a cell. In addition, methods are provided for using the recombinant polynucleotide or the recombinant polypeptide to stimulate an immune response in a subject against cancer that expresses Her2/neu. Methods of making a target antigen also are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Edward Nelson