William Marsh Rice University

Baylor College of Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Rice University

Wm. Marsh Rice University

Jennifer L West

Nancy J Halas

Steven J Oldenburg

Richard D Averitt

Scott R Sershen

Alan R Davis

Christy Franco

Kevin Moran

Elizabeth A Davis

Kristyn Simcha Masters

Ronke M Olabisi

Christopher S Chen

Jordan S Miller

Michael T Yang

Rebekah A Drezek

Leon R Hirsch

Ho-Wook Jun

Lakeshia J Taite

Brenda K Mann

Kristyn Simcha Bohl

Scott Sershen

Rebekah Drezek

Nancy L Halas

A method and system to induce bone growth by locally delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to the target location for a prolonged period without invasive procedures are disclosed. The new bone growth is induced by delivering cells producing BMPs from transduced viral vectors to the target cite. In various embodiments, the cells are encapsulated in hydrogel microspheres that are non-degradable or degradable by enzymes produced during the bone formation process. Various embodiments may be used to induce spinal fusion or repair critical bone defects.

Methods and compositions for bone formation

Methods of fabricating a substantially interconnected model vasculature, as well as compositions formed from such methods are provided. In some embodiments, the methods may comprise forming a non-woven fiber network comprising a plurality of fibers and a void space; backfilling the void space of the fiber network; and removing the fibers to form a substantially interconnected vascular network.

Fabrication of interconnected model vasculature

Peptide-modified polyurethanes comprising the reaction product of an isocyanate, a chain extender, and a peptide are provided. Also provided processes for making a peptide-modified polyurethane comprising: providing an isocyanate; providing a chain extender; providing a peptide; and allowing the isocyanate, chain extender, and peptide to react thereby forming the peptide-modified polyurethane, as well as methods for treating a subject comprising: providing a peptide-modified polyurethane that comprises the reaction product of an isocyanate, a chain extender, and a peptide; and administering the peptide-modified polyurethane to the subject.

Peptide-modified polyurethane compositions and associated methods

Hydrogels releasing or producing NO, most preferably polymerizable biodegradable hydrogels capable of releasing physiological amounts of NO for prolonged periods of time, are applied to sites on or in a patient in need of treatment thereof for disorders such as restenosis, thrombosis, asthma, wound healing, arthritis, penile erectile dysfunction or other conditions where NO plays a significant role. The polymeric materials can be formed into films, coatings, or microparticles for application to medical devices, such as stents, vascular grafts and catheters. The polymeric materials can also be applied directly to biological tissues and can be polymerized in situ. The hydrogels are formed of macromers, which preferably include biodegradable regions, and have bound thereto groups that are released in situ to elevate or otherwise modulate NO levels at the site where treatment is needed. The macromers can form a homo or hetero-dispersion or solution, which is polymerized to form a hydrogel material, that in the latter case can be a semi-interpenetrating network or interpenetrating network. Compounds to be released can be physically entrapped, covalently or ionically bound to macromer, or actually form a part of the polymeric material. The hydrogel can be formed by ionic and/or covalent crosslinking. Other active agents, including therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic agents, can also be included within the polymeric material.

Nitric oxide-producing hydrogel materials

Matrix-enhancing molecules, such as TGF-&#x3b2;, are conjugated to or immobilized on scaffolds to increase ECM production by cells for tissue engineering, tissue regeneration and wound healing applications. The matrix-enhancing molecule is conjugated to a tether, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) monoacrylate, for attachment to a tissue engineering or cell growth scaffold. The matrix-enhancing molecule retains activity after attachment to the scaffold, and causes cells growing in or on the scaffold to increase extracellular matrix (ECM) production, without substantially increasing proliferation of the cells, even when the scaffold additionally contains cell adhesion ligands. The increased ECM produced by the cells aids in maintaining the integrity of the scaffold, particularly when the scaffold is degradable, either by hydrolysis or by enzymatic degradation.

Tissue engineering scaffolds promoting matrix protein production

Hydrogels releasing or producing NO, most preferably photopolymerizable biodegradable hydrogels capable of releasing physiological amounts of NO for prolonged periods of time, are applied to sites on or in a patient in need of treatment thereof for disorders such as restenosis, thrombosis, asthma, wound healing, arthritis, penile erectile dysfunction or other conditions where NO plays a significant role. The hydrogels are typically formed of macromers, which preferably include biodegradable regions, and have bound thereto groups that are released in situ to elevate or otherwise modulate NO levels at the site where treatment is needed. The macromers can form a homo or hetero-dispersion or solution, which is polymerized to form a hydrogel material, that in the latter case can be a semi-interpenetrating network or interpenetrating network. Compounds to be released can be physically entrapped, covalently or ionically bound to macromer, or actually form a part of the polymeric material. The hydrogel can be formed by ionic and/or covalent crosslinking. Other active agents, including therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic agents, can also be included within the polymeric material.

The present invention provides nanoshell particles (&ldquo;nanoshells&rdquo;) for use in biosensing applications, along with their manner of making and methods of using the nanoshells for in vitro and in vivo detection of chemical and biological analytes, preferably by surface enhanced Raman light scattering. The preferred particles have a non-conducting core and a metal shell surrounding the core. For given core and shell materials, the ratio of the thickness (i.e., radius) of the core to the thickness of the metal shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the particle. By controlling the relative core and shell thicknesses, biosensing metal nanoshells are fabricated which absorb light at any desired wavelength across the ultraviolet to infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The surface of the particles are capable of inducing an enhanced SERS signal that is characteristic of an analyte of interest. In certain embodiments a biomolecule is conjugated to the metal shell and the SERS signal of a conformational change or a reaction product is detected.

Metal nanoshells for biosensing applications

This invention is generally in the field of improved methods for the localized delivery of heat and the use thereof for the repair of tissue. The method involves localized induction of hyperthermia in tissue or materials by delivering nanoparticles to the tissue or materials and exposing the nanoparticles to an excitation source under conditions wherein they emit heat. The generation of heat effects the joining of the tissue or materials.

Optically-absorbing nanoparticles for enhanced tissue repair

A thermally sensitive polymer-particle composite that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and uses the absorbed energy to trigger the delivery of a chemical is disclosed. Metal nanoshells are nanoparticulate materials that are suitable for use in the present composites and can be made according to a process that includes optically tuning or tailoring their maximum optical absorption to any desired wavelength primarily by altering the ratio of the core diameter to the shell thickness. Preferred nanoshells are selected that strongly absorb light in the near-infrared and thus produce heat. These nanoshells are combined with a temperature-sensitive material to provide an implantable or injectable material for modulated drug delivery via external exposure to near-IR light. This invention provides a means to improve the quality of life for persons requiring multiple injections of a drug, such as diabetes mellitus patients.

Temperature-sensitive polymer/nanoshell composites for photothermally modulated drug delivery

This invention is generally in the field of improved methods for the localized delivery of heat and the localized imaging of biological materials. The delivery may be in vitro or in vivo and is useful for the localized treatment of cancer, inflammation or other disorders involving overproliferation of tissue. The method is also useful for diagnostic imaging. The method involves localized induction of hyperthermia in a cell or tissue by delivering nanoparticles to said cell or tissue and exposing the nanoparticles to an excitation source under conditions wherein they emit heat.

Growing community of inventors

Pearland, TX, United States of America

Jennifer L West