Abstract: Embolization compositions and methods for controlling undesired bleeding and other treatments are provided. Preferred composition may comprise (a) a crosslinked hydrogel material; and (b) a fiber material, wherein the composition comprises a plurality of macropores; and the hydrogel material and fiber material are bonded by covalent and/or non-covalent bonds.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides nanoparticles comprising bortezomib encapsulated in a non-water-soluble polymer matrix in a form of a bortezomib-tannic acid complex; methods for preparing the nanoparticle; and use of the nanoparticles for treating liver cancer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a kinetically controlled mixing process, referred to herein as “flash nanocomplexation” or “(FNC),” to accelerate the mixing of a polyanion solution, for example, a plasmid DNA solution, with a polycation solution to match the polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) assembly kinetics through turbulent mixing in a microchamber, thus achieving explicit control of the kinetic conditions for nanoparticle assembly as demonstrated by the tunability of nanoparticle size, composition, hydrodynamic size, hydrodynamic density, surface charge, and polyanion payload.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanoparticle are described comprising a tannic acid, a trivalent metal ion, and a pharmaceutical agent comprising a water-soluble biologically active agent, such as a protein, a water-soluble peptide, small molecule or a combination thereof and methods of making and using the nanoparticles. Some nanoparticles of the present invention include 30-60% (w/w) of a tannic acid, 0.1-20% (w/w) of a trivalent metal ion, and 1-50% (w/w) of a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition comprising a hydrogel having a shear modulus of about 20 Pa to about 1600 Pa conjugated with anti-CD3 antibodies and anti-CD28 antibodies. Also provided are methods of activating T cells and methods of killing cancer cells using the hydrogel composition.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymeric micellar nanoparticle composition comprising a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one polycationic polymer and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer having an average molecular weight less than 1 kDa, and at least one nucleic acid, wherein the graft or block copolymer and at least one nucleic acid are complexed and condensed into a shaped micellar nanoparticle that is stable in biological media are disclosed. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides a method for preparing the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions, a method for targeting at least one metastatic cancer cell in a subject, and a method for treating a disease or condition using the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a composite film which allows for the co-delivery of two or more bioactive agents with independent control of loading level and release profile for each bioactive agent, bandages and/or medical devices coated with the composite film, methods for preparing the composite film, and use of the composite film for treating infections or preventing biofilm formation in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a coating composition which allows for the co-delivery of two or more bioactive agents with independent control of loading level and release profile for each bioactive agent, an implantable medical device coated with the coating composition, and methods for preparing the coating composition.

Abstract: Described are new biodegradable nanoparticle platforms for encapsulation and sustained release of protein therapeutics through a scalable and reproducible method. Specifically nanoparticles comprising a complex comprising a protein, or peptide, and a counter ion polymer are described.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: Described are methods of making vascular grafts from man-made tubular scaffolds, tubular scaffolds, and methods implanting vascular grafts comprising tubular scaffolds into subjects. The tubular scaffolds of the present invention are made of hydrogel nanofibers that have internally aligned polymer chains and may be cellularized.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

Abstract: A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.