Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of cross-linking poly(amino acid) compounds (e.g. proteins, polypeptides, protein polymers, etc.) to each other or attaching such compounds to polyamino or polycarboxyl compounds. The method involves lyophilizing a solution of at least one poly(amino acid) compound, or at least one poly(amino acid) compound and a polyamino or polycarboxyl compound, maintaining the lyophilized solid under vacuum, heating the lyophilized solid under vacuum to an elevated temperature effective to cause cross-linking without denaturing of the poly(amino acid) compounds, and cooling the product and releasing the vacuum. The method produces cross-linking without the use of activating compounds or cross-linking molecules. The invention also relates to novel cross-linked products.
Abstract:
The invention concerns an electroactive complex, consisting of an electroactive homopolymer or copolymer polymer of at least two monomers, and anti-ligand and a ligand having specifically interacted with said antiligand, and further at least an electron donor group, and an electroactive probe, consisting of said polymer said antiligand capable of interacting specifically with said ligand and at least an electron donor group.
Abstract:
A polymer comprising recurring units represented by formula (I): 1 wherein X is selected from the group consisting of C(O)OR1, C(O)SR1, C(O)NR1R2, and VZ, where R1 and R2 are each individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1 to C10 alkyl, and C6 to C10 aryl, where V is a labile linker group, and where Z is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyleneimine), poly(propyleneimine), poly(lysine), PAMAM dendrimer, octaamine dendrimer, and hexadecaamine dendrimer; and wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of null(CH2)2null, null(CH2)2nullOnull(CH2)2null, null(CH2)2nullOnull(CH2)2nullOnull(CH2)2null, and null(CH2)3nullNHC(O)null(CH2)6nullC(O)NHnull(CH2)3null is useful in nucleic acid delivery applications. Polyacetals of the formula (I) are preferably made by reacting appropriate diols and divinyl ethers. In preferred embodiments, complexes formed between polyacetals of the formula (I) and polynucleotides are useful as transfection reagents.
Abstract:
A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, such as artificial or synthetic cartilage. The network is made by first providing a polyamine or polycarboxylate macromolecule (having a plurality of amine or carboxylic acid groups respectively attached along the length of the molecule), reacting this macromolecule with a hydroxyphenyl compound having a free carboxylic acid group in the case of a polyamine or a free primary amine group in the case of a polycarboxylate, and substituting the hydroxyphenyl compound onto the macromolecule via a carbodiimide-mediated reaction pathway to provide a hydroxyphenyl-substituted macromolecule. This macromolecule is then linked to other such macromolecules via an enzyme catalyzed dimerization reaction between two hydroxyphenyl groups attached respectively to different macromolecules under metabolic conditions of temperature and pH. In a preferred embodiment, the macromolecular network is made up of tyramine-substituted hyaluronan molecules that are linked by dityramine bonds to provide a stable, coherent hydrogel with desired physical properties. A method of preparing such a network is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel monofunctional polyethylene glycol aldehydes for the pegylation of therapeutically active proteins. The pegylated protein conjugates that are produced, retain a substantial portion of their therapeutic activity and are less immunogenic than the protein from which the conjugate is derived. New syntheses for preparing such aldehydes are described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for delivering substances to target tissues and cells by contacting the targets with delivery systems associated with membranes (e.g., biocompatible or bioerodable membranes). More particularly, the present invention is directed to dendrimer-based methods and compositions for use in disease therapies, wound healing, and generally, improved gene transfection and compound delivery to target cells and tissues in vitro and in vivo.
Abstract:
Probes comprising a cardiolipin derivative covalently attached to a solid phase, other than through an allylic oxygen, are described. Methods of making the probes are also described. A cardiolipin analogue which is amino-derivatised at the end of one of the fatty acid side chains is reacted with an activated ester attached to a solid support. The probes are useful for diagnosis of anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), and for identifying and purifying cardiolipin binding proteins.
Abstract:
A method of grafting galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers, preferably guar, to a functional group by irradiation with high energy electron beams in the presence of an unsaturated monomer-compressing the described functional group. The method may include the depolymerization of the grafted polymer to a pre-selected low molecular weight. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is also depolymerized, preferably to a molecular weight of below about 700,000 Daltons, and most preferably to a molecular weight of between about 100,000 Daltons to about 250,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar most preferably has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
Abstract:
The present invention features methods for enhancing nucleic acid molecule detection through the use of dendrimers. Novel dendrimers and methods of making such dendrimers are also features of the present invention.
Abstract:
A physiologically active substance-measuring reagent and a method for measuring a substance to be measured using the reagent. The physiologically active substance-measuring reagent comprises particles of a support polymer obtained by radical emulsion polymerization of the components (1), (2) and (3) as described herein above, and a physiologically active substance having an interaction with a substance to be measured, supported on the particles.