University of Texas System

The Ohio State University

The University of Akron

Houston Methodist Hospital

The Methodist Hospital

Becker, Matthew

Tasciotti, Ennio

Weiner, Bradley

Isayev, Avraam

Ennio Tasciotti

Mauro Ferrari

Matthew L Becker

Avraam I Isayev

Xuewu Liu

Ali Bouamrani

Bradley Weiner

Jason Sakamoto

Rachel Buchanan

Christine Smid

Ye Hu

Francesca Taraballi

Silvia Minardi

Avraam Isayev

The present invention relates to a polymer scaffold design and method for treating segmental long bone defects without amputation that permits permanent regrowth of bone in the area of the segmental defect, without external fixation or other problems inherent in current systems. The polymer scaffold is preferably made from a poly(ester urea) polymer and includes an outer shell, sized to fit over a segmental defect in a bone, and a collagen containing material. In some embodiments, the collagen containing material is placed in a polymer insert sized to fit within the segmental bone defect and within said outer shell. In some embodiments, the outer shell may contain struts running longitudinal struts along the inside surface of the outer shell. In some of these embodiments, the insert will have a corresponding set of grooves sized to receive the struts.

Modular device for preventing compression and instability in a segmental defect repair scaffold

Multistage delivery vehicles are disclosed which include a first stage particle and a second stage particle. The first stage particle is a micro or nanoparticle that contains the second stage particle. The second stage particle includes an active agent, such as a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent. The multistage delivery vehicle allows sequential overcoming or bypassing of biological barriers. The multistage delivery vehicle is administered as a part of a composition that includes a plurality of the vehicles. Methods of making the multistage delivery vehicles are also provided.

Multistage delivery of active agents

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that comprise: (1) a biodegradable polymer matrix; and (2) at least one biodegradable reinforcing particle that is dispersed in the matrix. In some embodiments, the biodegradable reinforcing particle is selected from the group consisting of porous oxide particles and porous semiconductor particles. In additional embodiments, the compositions of the present invention further comprise a (3) porogen particle that is also dispersed in the matrix. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are also associated with one or more active agents. In various embodiments, the active agents are associated with the biodegradable polymer matrix, the biodegradable reinforcing particle, and/or the porogen particle. In various embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized as scaffolds, such as scaffolds for treating bone defects. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the compositions of the present invention.

Biodegradable scaffolds

A new fractionation device shows desirable features for exploratory screening and biomarker discovery. The constituent MSCs may be tailored for desired pore sizes and surface properties and for the sequestration and enrichment of extremely low abundant protein and peptides in desired ranges of the mass/charge spectrum. The MSCs are effective in yielding reproducible extracts from complex biological samples as small as 10 &#x3bc;l in a time as short as 30 minutes. They are inexpensive to manufacture, and allow for scaled up production to attain the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples. The MSCs are multiplexed, label-free diagnostic tools with the potential of biological recognition moiety modification for enhanced specificity. The MSCs may store, protect and stabilize biological fluids, enabling the simplified and cost-effective collection and transportation of clinical samples. The MSC-based device may serve as a diagnostic tool to complement histopathology, imaging, and other conventional clinical techniques. The MSCs mediated identification of disease-specific protein signatures may help in the selection of personalized therapeutic combinations, in the real-time assessment of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, and in the rational modulation of therapy based on the changes in the protein networks associated with the prognosis and the drug resistance of the disease.

Combinatorial multidomain mesoporous chips and a method for fractionation, stabilization, and storage of biomolecules

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Ennio Tasciotti