Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for generating immune response or enhancing immune response. The method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a compositions comprising liposomes comprising porphyrins with cobalt chelated thereto such that the cobalt metal resides within the bilayer in the porphyrin macrocycle, and polyhistidine tagged MHC-I restricted tumor peptides.

Abstract: Provided are vaccine compositions and methods for generation of immune response (including neutralizing antibodies) against SARS-CoV-2 virus. The vaccine compositions comprise a poly-histidine tagged receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus incorporated into a liposome comprising cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates, such that one or more histidines of the polyhistidine tag are coordinated to the cobalt of the cobalt-porphyrin and at least a portion of the RBD is exposed to the outside of the liposome.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanostructures (e.g., monolayer or bilayer nanostructures) comprising porphyrins with cobalt chelated thereto such that the cobalt metal resides within monolayer or bilayer in the porphyrin macrocycle. The nanostructures can have presentation molecules comprising epitopes from microorganisms with a histidine tag attached thereto, such that at least a part of the his-tag is within the monolayer or bilayer and coordinated to the cobalt metal core and the presentation molecules are exposed to the outside of the nanostructures. The nanostructures can further comprise a cargo. The nanostructures can be used to deliver the cargo to an individual.

Abstract: Immunogenic composition are provided comprising PnCo and/or GlpO polypeptides identified as being preferentially expressed during the virulent phase of an infection related to streptococcal bacteria. The compositions can be used for eliciting immune response against streptococcal infections, such as against infections caused by S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: Immunogenic composition are provided comprising PnCo and/or GlpO polypeptides identified as being preferentially expressed during the virulent phase of an infection related to streptococcal bacteria. The compositions can be used for eliciting immune response against streptococcal infections, such as against infections caused by S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: Provided are serum-stable nanoparticles comprising porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates. Also provided are compositions comprising the nano-particles. The nanoparticles can comprise cargo such as therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic agents (e.g., imaging agents) and be used in drug delivery methods based on NIR stimulated cargo release.

Abstract: A microbubble used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging burst due to high intensity of ultrasound, and the burst microbubble effectively acts as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Based on this point, a new apparatus and method for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound diagnosis are provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic composition are provided comprising PnCo and/or GlpO polypeptides identified as being preferentially expressed during the virulent phase of an infection related to streptococcal bacteria. The compositions can be used for eliciting immune response against streptococcal infections, such as against infections caused by S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanostructures (e.g., monolayer or bilayer nanostructures) comprising porphyrins with cobalt chelated thereto such that the cobalt metal resides within monolayer or bilayer in the porphyrin macrocycle. The nanostructures can have presentation molecules comprising epitopes from microorganisms with a histidine tag attached thereto, such that at least a part of the his-tag is within the monolayer or bilayer and coordinated to the cobalt metal core and the presentation molecules are exposed to the outside of the nanostructures. The nanostructures can further comprise a cargo. The nanostructures can be used to deliver the cargo to an individual.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanostructures (e.g., monolayer or bilayer nanostructures) comprising porphyrins with cobalt chelated thereto such that the cobalt metal resides within monolayer or bilayer in the porphyrin macrocycle. The nanostructures can have presentation molecules with a histidine tag attached thereto, such that at least a part of the his-tag is within the monolayer or bilayer and coordinated to the cobalt metal core and the presentation molecules are exposed to the outside of the nanostructures. The nanostructures can further comprise a cargo. The nanostructures can be used to deliver the cargo to an individual.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising porphyrin-phospholipid nanovesicles (PoP-NVs) which can be loaded with cargo. Methods for release of cargo from the PoP-NVs triggered by near infrared (NIR) light are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are serum-stable nanoparticles comprising porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates. Also provided are compositions comprising the nano-particles. The nanoparticles can comprise cargo such as therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic agents (e.g., imaging agents) and be used in drug delivery methods based on NIR stimulated cargo release.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanostructures (e.g., monolayer or bilayer nanostructures) comprising porphyrins with cobalt chelated thereto such that the cobalt metal resides within monolayer or bilayer in the porphyrin macrocycle. The nanostructures can have presentation molecules with a histidine tag attached thereto, such that at least a part of the his-tag is within the monolayer or bilayer and coordinated to the cobalt metal core and the presentation molecules are exposed to the outside of the nanostructures. The nanostructures can further comprise a cargo. The nanostructures can be used to deliver the cargo to an individual.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods relating to hydrophobic agent loaded-micelle. The micelles comprise surfactant (such as poloxamer) and have hydrophobic agents incorporated therein. The compositions substantially lack surfactant that is not associated with the micelles. The compositions are able to achieve high hydrophobic agent: surfactant molar ratio. The compositions can be used for drug delivery and imaging applications.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods relating to hydrophobic agent loaded-micelle. The micelles comprise surfactant (such as poloxamer) and have hydrophobic agents incorporated therein. The compositions substantially lack surfactant that is not associated with the micelles. The compositions are able to achieve high hydrophobic agent:surfactant molar ratio. The compositions can be used for drug delivery and imaging applications.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising porphyrin-phospholipid nanovesicles (PoP-NVs) which can be loaded with cargo. Methods for release of cargo from the PoP-NVs triggered by near infrared (NIR) light are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is herein described a nanovesicle comprising a bilayer of porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates. Each porphyrin-phospholipid conjugate comprises one porphyrin, porphyrin derivative or porphyrin analog covalently attached to a lipid side chain at one of the sn-1 or the sn-2 positions of one phospholipid. Further, the nanovesicle has a defined regioisomeric ratio of sn-1:sn-2 porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates.

Abstract: A microbubble used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging burst due to high intensity of ultrasound, and the burst microbubble effectively acts as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Based on this point, a new apparatus and method for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound diagnosis are provided.

Abstract: A microbubble is used as a multi-modality contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging. A method of preparing improved microbubbles that are used as a multi-modality contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging is provided. The microbubble includes a dye-colored lipid shell; and a filling gas filling the inside of the lipid shell. The method of preparing microbubbles includes agitating a dye-colored lipid-containing solution in the presence of filling gas.

Abstract: There is provided herein vesicles comprising a bilayer comprising porphyrin-phospholipid conjugate, wherein the porphyrin-phospholipid conjugate comprises one porphyrin, porphyrin derivative or porphyrin analog covalently attached to a lipid side chain, preferably at the sn-1 or the sn-2 position, of one phospholipids, wherein the vesicle is 1-100 microns in diameter.