University of Delaware

University of California

The Nemours Foundation

Kristi Kiick

Nori Yamaguchi

John F Rabolt

Cheryl Casper

Aaron Baldwin

Robert Akins

Raja Sivamani

Emanual Maverakis

Prathamesh M Kharkar

Tianzhi Luo

Rebecca Scott

Karyn Robinson

Millicent Sullivan

April M Kloxin

Morgan Urello

The present invention provides a composition for delivering a polynucleotide into cells via a polyplex. The polyplex comprises the polynucleotide and a polymer. The composition comprises the polyplex, a collagen-mimetic peptide (CMP) and collagen fragments. The CMP is bound to the polyplex and the collagen fragments. Also provided are the uses of the composition in methods of delivering a polynucleotide into cells as well as methods of improving wound healing in a subject, enhancing cell proliferation in a subject, enhancing production of extracellular matrix by cells in a subject and/or enhancing cell migration by cells in a subject.

Collagen-mimetic peptide mediated delivery of nucleic acid carriers for efficient delivery from collagen

Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

Method for protecting skeletonized blood vessels

The present invention provides a bioconjugate. The bioconjugate comprises a first molecule comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP), a second molecule capable of self-associating into an oligomer, and a linker connecting the first molecule with the second molecule. The bioconjugate is self-assembled into particles, which are disassembled when the temperature is increased. Also provided is a method for delivering a bioconjugate to a target matrix, comprising (a) introducing a bioconjugate self-assembled into particles to a target matrix, wherein the bioconjugate comprises a first molecule comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP), a second molecule capable of self-associating into an oligomer, and a linker connecting the first molecule with the second molecule, and (b) increasing the temperature of the target matrix to disassemble the particles at the target matrix.

Thermoresponsive bioconjugates and their controlled delivery of cargo

A responsive hydrogel-based material may be used as a carrier system for the in situ delivery of various cargo substances, including bioactive moieties. The hydrogel structure, which includes photodegradable and thioether moieties in its three dimensional network, enables finely tuned local release of cargo substances as a function of the in vivo tissue environment (e.g., enzyme concentration or reducing environment) and externally applied stimuli (e.g., light) by selective spatiotemporal hydrogel degradation.

Multimode degradable hydrogels for controlled release of cargo substances

The present invention is related to compositions which can undergo targeted degradation under certain physiological reducing conditions. The compositions may, for example, be hydrogels in which maleimide-functionalized low molecular weight heparin is cross-linked with various thiol-functionalized polyethylene glycol multi-arm star polymers. Both the gelation and degradation of the hydrogels can be modified by careful selection of the thiol. For example, hydrogels prepared from aryl thiol-maleimide adducts can undergo a retro Michael addition-type reaction, leading to degradation of the composition and release of the bioactive molecule.

Chemical conjugates for targeted degradation under reducing conditions

A method for targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds from hydrogels is presented. The method involves administering to a cell a hydrogel in which a therapeutic compound is noncovalently bound to heparin.

Cell-mediated delivery and targeted erosion of noncovalently crosslinked hydrogels

A functionalized electrospun matrix for the controlled-release of biologically active agents, such as growth factors, is presented. The functionalized matrix comprises a matrix polymer, a compatibilizing polymer and a biomolecule or other small functioning molecule. In certain aspects the electrospun polymer fibers comprise at least one biologically active molecule functionalized with low molecular weight heparin.

Multifunctional and biologically active matrices from multicomponent polymeric solutions

The present invention relates to a biologically active functionalized electrospun matrix to permit immobilization and long-term delivery of biologically active agents. In particular the invention relates to a functionalized polymer matrix comprising a matrix polymer, a compatibilizing polymer and a biomolecule or other small functioning molecule. In certain aspects the electrospun polymer fibers comprise at least one biologically active molecule functionalized with low molecular weight heparin. Examples of active molecules that may be used with the multicomponent polymer of the invention include, for example, a drug, a biopolymer, for example a growth factor, a protein, a peptide, a nucleotide, a polysaccharide, a biological macromolecule or the like. The invention is further directed to the formation of functionalized crosslinked matrices, such as hydrogels, that include at least one functionalized compatibilizing polymer capable of assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Rising Sun, MD, United States of America

Kristi Kiick