Abstract:
The present invention provides therapeutic agents and compositions comprising elastin-like peptides (ELPs) and therapeutic proteins. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, insulin, or Factor VII/VIIa, including functional analogs. The present invention further provides encoding polynucleotides, as well as methods of making and using the therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents have improvements in relation to their use as therapeutics, including, inter alia, one or more of half-life, clearance and/or persistance in the body, solubility, and bioavailability.
Abstract:
Methods for producing biomolecule-polymer conjugates, such as polypeptide-polymer conjugates, include attachment of an initiator agent to a biomolecule and in situ polymerization of a polymer from defined sites on the biomolecule. The conjugates may have desirable pharmacological properties and may be used therapeutically.
Abstract:
Methods of attaching a ligand to a surface are described that include contacting a surface with a substrate containing an amphiphilic comb polymer. The substrate is configured to provide a pattern of the amphiphilic comb polymer on a selected region of the surface. The substrate can be separated from the surface leaving the amphiphilic comb polymer on the selected region of the surface, thus providing a selected region of the surface having amphiphilic comb polymer on it. A ligand can then be deposited on the surface such that the selected region of the surface having the amphiphilic comb polymer is substantially free of the ligand.
Abstract:
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement agent comprising an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) and one or more paramagnetic metal ions is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing ELP MRI contrast enhancement agents, formulations comprising ELP MRI contrast enhancement agents, and methods of using ELP MRI contrast enhancement agents to image biological samples and to image and deliver therapeutic agents to targeted sites in vivo. In some embodiments, the ELP MRI agents can be used in methods related to blood volume determination, in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and in vascular transport determinations. The ELP MRI contrast agents can also provide information on the expression of various proteins through affinity targeting or enzymatic crosslinking in order to aid in diagnosis and in the spatial definition of pathologic tissue.
Abstract:
The present invention provides conjugate compounds comprising (a) an active compound; (b) optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, an affinity binding agent; and (c) a block copolymer, the block copolymer comprising: (i) a first elastin-like polypeptide having a first Tt and (U) a second elastin-like polypeptide having a second Tt greater than the first Tt. Method for the targeted delivering of an active compound in vivo to a selected region within a subject with such agents are also described.
Abstract:
Bioelastomers are disclosed for use in methods of binding compounds including immunoassay methods, in biosensors and methods or regenerating biosensors, and in methods for targeting the delivery of a compound to a particular location within an animal subjects. In general, the bioelastomer is conjugated to a binding compound, which is in turn used to bind a compound of interest. For targeted compound delivery, the bioelastomer is conjugated to the compound to be delivered.
Abstract:
A method and system for both enhancing drug uptake by application of therapeutic transmissions of acoustic energy and imaging a region for applied therapy with a same transducer and ultrasound system. An ultrasonic image of a field of view is generated while localized delivery of a drug is enhanced with ultrasound energy. Using the same transducer and ultrasound system reduces costs and increases system availability for a broader range of medical practitioners. For example, a single linear array of transducer elements is used for application of both imaging and therapeutic ultrasound. As another example, a transmitter is provided that transmits therapeutic transmissions having substantially equal positive and negative peaks at the face of the transducer and also is operable to transmit imaging acoustic energy. As yet another example, therapeutic pulses of acoustic energy are transmitted to have greater power for heating than imaging, but a mechanical index or pressure comparable to imaging transmissions. For example, a mechanical index of about 1.9 or lower is provided, such that cavitation of blood or other non-contrast agent is avoided.
Abstract:
Functionalized polymer surfaces having reactive moieties thereon are contacted with stamps having ligands adsorbed thereto, the ligands also comprising reactive moieties. The reactive moieties of the functionalized surfaces and the ligands form covalent bonds, thus providing a method of microstamping polymer surfaces directly with ligands such as biological ligands. Using this method, devices such as tissue culture plates with polymer surfaces that are microstamped directly with ligands can be made.
Abstract:
The present invention provides therapeutic agents and compositions comprising elastin-like peptides (ELPs) and therapeutic proteins. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, insulin, or Factor VII/VIIa, including functional analogs. The present invention further provides encoding polynucleotides, as well as methods of making and using the therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents have improvements in relation to their use as therapeutics, including, inter alia, one or more of half-life, clearance and/or persistance in the body, solubility, and bioavailability.
Abstract:
The present invention provides therapeutic agents and compositions comprising elastic peptides and therapeutic proteins. Such peptides exhibit a flexible, extended conformation. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (e.g., GLP-1, exendin), insulin, or Factor VII/VIIa, including functional analogs. The present invention further provides encoding polynucleotides, as well as methods of making and using the therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents have improvements in relation to their use as therapeutics, including, inter alia, one or more of half-life, clearance and/or persistence in the body, solubility, and bioavailability.