Abstract: The present invention relates to novel therapeutic and diagnostic dendrimers. In particular, the present invention is directed to dendrimer based multifunctional compositions and systems for use in disease diagnosis and therapy (e.g., cancer diagnosis and therapy). The compositions and systems comprise one or more components for targeting, imaging, sensing, and/or providing a therapeutic or diagnostic material and monitoring the response to therapy of a cell or tissue (e.g., a tumor).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods involving biocompatible dendrimers. In particular, the present invention provides dendrimeric copolymers with poly(propyleneimine) (POPAM) interiors and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) exteriors for use in transfection and imaging applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods involving biocompatible dendrimers. In particular, the present invention provides dendrimeric copolymers with poly(propyleneimine) (POPAM) interiors and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) exteriors for use in transfection and imaging applications.

Abstract: The synthesis and characterization of novel linear polymers and multi-arm star polymers comprising polyisobutylene arms connected to a well-defined calixarene core are described. The polymers are directly telechelic. They synthesis has been achieved using the "core first" method wherein multifunctional calix?n!arene (where n=4 to 16) derivatives or their monofunctional analogues are used as initiators which, in conjunction with certain Freidel-Crafts acids as co-initiators, induce the living polymerization of isobutylene or a similar carbocationic polymerizable monomer. Novel initiators suitable for inducing the polymerization are also described.

Abstract: The synthesis of star polymers having well-defined arms emanating from well-defined and readily controllable calix?n!arene (n=4 to 16) cores are described. The synthesis is particularly suitable for polyisobutylene and/or polysiloxane star polymers. The synthesis has been achieved using carbocationic and/or anionic ring-opening polymerization techniques to form polymer arms of desired molecular weights, then separately preparing the calixarene derivative core, and finally, linking the arms to the core by transesterification or hydrosilation.

Abstract: The synthesis and characterization of novel linear polymers and multi-arm star polymers comprising polyisobutylene arms connected to a well-defined calixarene core are described. The synthesis has been achieved using the "core first" method wherein multifunctional calix?n!arene (where n=4 to 16) derivatives or their monofunctional analogues are used as initiators which, in conjunction with certain Freidel-Crafts acids as co-initiators, induce the living polymerization of isobutylene or a similar carbocationic polymerizable monomer to form star polymers or block copolymers. Novel initiators suitable for inducing the polymerization are also described.

Abstract: The first synthesis of a multi-arm radial-star polyisobutylene is described. The synthesis occurred by the addition of excess divinylbenzene (DVB) linking reagent to a living polyisobutylene (PIB.sup..sym.), charge, i.e., by the "arm first" method under specific conditions. The radial structure of the star-PIB was proven by determining the molecular weight of a sample by light scattering, then selectively destroying the aromatic polydivinylbenzene core, and finally determining the molecular weight of the surviving aliphatic PIB arms. The synthesis strategy, kinetic observations during synthesis, and procedures leading to a representative star-PIB are described. This product whose M.sub.w =1,134,400 g/mole with M.sub.w /M.sub.n =2.83, contained .about.90.3 mole % (.about.78 wt. %) PIB arms and .about.9.7 mole % (.about.22 wt. %) aromatic core; thus the number of PIB arms emanating from the core was N.sub.n, arm =56 or N.sub.w, arm (weight average number of arms)=110.