Abstract:
In one aspect, provided herein are whole spores engineered to capsulate a compound(s) or substance(s). In certain embodiments, the whole spore encapsulating the compound(s) or substance(s) is coated with or co-encapsulated with a hydrogel or other agent(s) to control the rate release of the compound(s) or substance(s) from the spore. In another aspect, provided herein are methods of producing whole spores encapsulating a compound(s) or substance(s). In another aspect, provided herein are formulations comprising either a whole spore, or a whole spore encapsulating a compound(s) or substance(s), and uses of those formulations.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of controlling adsorption of lipid molecules onto a solid support by tuning the steric-hydration force of the lipid vesicles and the surface of the solid support, such that the solid support either has a stabilized lipid bilayer adsorbed thereon or is resistant to adsorption of lipid molecules.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a solid-supported phospholipid bilayer is provided. The method comprises: a) a first step of providing a solution comprising a bicellar mixture of a long-chain phospholipid and a short-chain phospholipid; b) at least one second step of decreasing the temperature of the solution to below 0 °C, increasing the temperature to above room temperature and causing the solution to be blended; and c) a third step of depositing the solution obtained after the second step on a surface of a support, wherein the concentration of the long-chain phospholipid in the solution is at most 0.1 mg/mL, for obtaining a solid-supported phospholipid bilayer. A solid-supported phospholipid layer obtained by the method as defined above is also provided.
Abstract:
Provided herein are anti-infective peptides and uses thereof, in one embodiment, provided herein is a peptide that is 16 to 26 amino acid residues in length and comprises the following amino acid sequence: X 1 X 2 SWLRDX 3 X 4 TX 5 LQSX 6 L, wherein X 1 is S or G or A; X 2 is S or G, X 3 is V or I, X 4 is W or L, X 5 is W, K, A or L and X 6 is W, K, L or A. The anti-infective peptides may comprise D amino acids, L amino acids or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the anti-infective peptides are peglyated, modified to include a hydrophilic polymer, stapled or iipidated. Also provided herein are compositions comprising the anti-infective peptides, and methods of treatment and disinfecting using the anti-infective peptides. The anti-infective peptides provided herein are useful against a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for forming a hydration layer/lipid bilayer structure on a solid support by contacting a solution comprising at least one polar lipid and a water-miscible alcohol as a solvent with the solid support; and adding water to said solution at a predetermined rate, thus inducing formation of a hydration layer on the solid support surface and formation of a planar lipid bilayer on the hydration layer, wherein the hydration layer has an average thickness of at least 2 nm as well as the thus obtained solid supports with a hydration layer/lipid bilayer structure.