Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: Methods of treating body tissue including repairing defects in body tissue as well as augmenting body tissue. Body tissue defects are repaired by injecting a polymeric adhesive composition through an injector into the region of the defect and allowing the adhesive composition to cure to repair the defect or to form an implant that adheres to at least one surface tissue in the region of the defect. Body tissue is augmented by filling a defect void with a polymeric adhesive composition and allowing it to cure.

Abstract: Methods of treating body tissue including repairing defects in body tissue as well as augmenting body tissue. Body tissue defects are repaired by injecting a polymeric adhesive composition through an injector into the region of the defect and allowing the adhesive composition to cure to repair the defect or to form an implant that adheres to at least one surface tissue in the region of the defect. Body tissue is augmented by filling a defect void with a polymeric adhesive composition and allowing it to cure.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesives and sealants. Particularly, block copolymers of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which are useful for delivering a biologically active substance to a localized site in vivo and for altering the physical dimensions of a body tissue. These methods and compositions employ protein polymers having varying ratios of elastin-like, collagen-like, keratin-like repeating units and repeating units which promote protein crystallization such as silk-like repeating units. By varying the length of segments of the repeating units and/or the concentration of the protein polymers in the composition, the rate of delivery of a biologically active substance to a localized site can be greatly varied. Moreover, because the compositions are capable of acquiring a non-liquid form under normal physiological conditions, they find use as biocompatible tissue augmentation products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesives and sealants. Particularly, block copolymers of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesive compositions for bonding together separated tissue, and for sealing or filling tissue defects by injecting the compositions into the defects. Particularly, block copolymers having repeating units of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents such as glutaraldehyde, activated diolefins, diisocyanates, acid anhydrides or diamines. The protein polymer contains at least 40 weight percent of repetitive units of 3 to 30 amino acids, preferably 3 to 15 amino acids, of at least one naturally occurring structural protein and at least two amino acids containing a functional group capable of reacting with the crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided which are useful for delivering a biologically active substance to a localized site in vivo and for altering the physical dimensions of a body tissue. These method and compositions employ protein polymers having varying ratios of elastin-like collagen-like, keratin-like repeating units and repeating units which promote protein crystallization such as silk-like repeating units. By varying the length of segments of the repeating units and/or the concentration of the protein polymers in the composition, the rate of delivery of a biologically active substance to a localized site can be greatly varied. Moreover, because the compositions are capable of acquiring a non-liquid form under normal physiological conditions, they find use as biocompatible tissue augmentation products.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides comprising repetitive units of amino acids, as well as synthetic genes encoding the subject polypeptides are provided. The subject polypeptides are characterized by comprising repetitive units of amino acids, where the repetitive units are present in naturally occurring proteins, particularly naturally occurring structural proteins. The subject polypeptides find use in a variety of applications, such as structural components of prosthetic devices, synthetic fibers, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: Novel polymers are provided which are produced by recombinant techniques. The polymers are characterized by having a small repeating sequence which provides for strands capable of associating, resulting in useful structural characteristics, where the strands are joined by turns or loops which are flexible and available for interaction with the environment. Specifically, repeating groups of naturally occurring proteins such as silk are modified by introduction of an amino-acid sequence at a site which provides for a turn between strands to provide for readily available oligopeptides capable of interacting with molecules in the environment.

Abstract: Novel polymers are provided which are produced by recombinant techniques. The polymers are characterized by having a small repeating sequence which provides for strands capable of associating, resulting in useful structural characteristics, where the strands are joined by turns or loops which are flexible and available for interaction with the environment. Specifically, repeating groups of naturally occurring proteins such as silk are modified by introduction of an amino-acid sequence at a site which provides for a turn between strands to provide for readily available oligopeptides capable of interacting with molecules in the environment.

Abstract: Highly repetitive proteins which are relatively insoluble in water are chemically modified to increase solubility. The protein is reacted with a functionalizing agent to introduce additional polar functionalities and disrupt the order of the protein. The solubility of the protein in water is increased by the chemical modification, while adhesive and surfactant properties are retained.

Abstract: Proteinaceous polymers having repetitive units from naturally occurring structural proteins are employed as backbones for functionalities for crosslinking to provide strongly adherent tissue adhesives and sealants. Particularly, block copolymers having repeating units of elastin and fibroin are employed having lysine substitutions in spaced apart units, where the amino group can be crosslinked using difunctional crosslinking agents. The protein polymer contains at least 40 weight percent of repetitive units of 3 to 30 amino acids of at least one naturally occurring structural protein and at least two functional groups capable of reacting with a crosslinking agent to form a strongly adherent adhesive composition for bonding together separated tissue or for sealing tissue defects.