Carnegie Mellon University

Newell Raymond Washburn

Hoyong Chung

Metin Sitti

Sidi A Bencherif

Paul Samuel Glass

Liang Tso Sun

A composition includes an agent formed by grafting at least a first polymer with lignin and a component other than the agent, lignin or the at least a first polymer, wherein lignin has an affinity for the component. A method of dispersing a component in a matrix includes adding an agent to the matrix. The agent is formed by grafting at least a first polymer with lignin. The first polymer has an affinity for the matrix. Lignin has an affinity for the component. The component is other than the agent, lignin or the at least a first polymer. The method for includes contacting the matrix with the component.

Lignin-containing polymers and compositions including lignin-containing polymers

Present invention describes a patterned and coated micro- and nano-scale fibers elastomeric material for enhanced adhesion in wet or dry environments. A multi-step fabrication process including optical lithography, micromolding, polymer synthesis, dipping, stamping, and photopolymerization is described to produce uniform arrays of micron-scale fibers with mushroom-shaped tips coated with a thin layer of an intrinsically adhesive synthetic polymer, such as lightly crosslinked p(DMA-co-MEA).

Micro-fiber arrays with tip coating and transfer method for preparing same

The various embodiments provide a composition that provides local control over inflammation. The composition localizes the activities of the cytokine-neutralizing antibodies to the site of inflammation through covalent attachment to hydrophilic matrices. The various embodiments including a hydrophilic polymer, a ligand binding moiety covalently attached to the polymer, and optionally, a cellular adhesion peptide covalently attached to the polymer. The hydrophilic polymer may be a glycosaminoglycan such as hyaluronan. The cellular adhesion peptide may be a linear RGD peptide sequence covalently attached to the polymer. The ligand binding moiety may be a monoclonal antibody covalently attached to the polymer. The antibody may be selected from the group consisting of an anti-IL-1&#x3b2;, an anti-IL-6, an anti-TNF-&#x3b1;, and combinations thereof. The polymer functions as a substrate or matrix for cell migration and tissue regeneration. The RGD peptide functions to promote cellular proliferation, migration and attachment to the polymer. The monoclonal antibody functions to inhibit the inflammatory response.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Newell Raymond Washburn