Abstract: Optical tags provide a way to identify assets quickly and unambiguously, an application relevant to anti-counterfeiting and protection of valuable resources or information. The present invention is directed to a tag fluorophore that encodes multilayer complexity in a family of heterometallic rare-earth metal-organic frameworks (RE-MOFs) based on highly connected polynuclear clusters and carboxylic acid-based linkers. Both overt (visible) and covert (near infrared, NIR) properties with concomitant multi-emissive spectra and tunable luminescence lifetimes impart both intricacy and security. Tag authentication can be validated with a variety of orthogonal detection methodologies. The relationships between structure, composition, and optical properties of the family of RE-MOFs can be used to create a large library of rationally designed, highly complex, difficult to counterfeit optical tags.

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprising amines on the organic linker can be used for cell targeting. In particular, primary amine groups represent one of the most versatile chemical moieties for conjugation to biologically relevant molecules, including antibodies and enzymes. Different chemical conjugation schemes can be used to conjugate biological molecules to the amino functionality on the organic linker. For example, carbodiimide chemistry can be used to link a primary amine to available carboxyl groups on the protein. For example, sulfhydryl crosslinking chemistry can be used via Traut's reagent scheme. As a demonstration of the invention, the ability of EpCAM antibody-targeted MOFs to bind to a human epithelial cell line (A549), a common target for imaging studies, was confirmed with confocal microscopy.

Abstract: A motorized cart assembly includes a cart that has a basket, a collapsible frame and a plurality of wheels. The basket has a height that is greater than a width of the basket to accommodate tent poles and a tent. The frame includes a pole support for insertably receiving a respective one of the tent poles to vertically orient the respective tent pole. A drive unit is coupled to the cart and the drive unit is in mechanical communication with respective ones of the wheels. The drive unit rotates the respective wheels when the drive unit is turned on thereby facilitating the cart to be self propelled. The drive unit is in wireless communication with a personal electronic device for remotely controlling the drive unit.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs), monodisperse populations of MSNPs and related protocells which exhibit cell binding specificity. For example, MSNPs and protocells of the disclosure may be used to target specific delivery of therapeutic agents to CD19 or EGFR expressing cancer cells, or target specific delivery of therapeutic agents to other cell types. Related protocells, pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic and diagnostic methods are also provided.

Abstract: Optical tags provide a way to identify assets quickly and unambiguously, an application relevant to anti-counterfeiting and protection of valuable resources or information. The present invention is directed to a tag fluorophore that encodes multilayer complexity in a family of heterometallic rare-earth metal-organic frameworks (RE-MOFs) based on highly connected polynuclear clusters and carboxylic acid-based linkers. Both overt (visible) and covert (near infrared, NIR) properties with concomitant multi-emissive spectra and tunable luminescence lifetimes impart both intricacy and security. Tag authentication can be validated with a variety of orthogonal detection methodologies. The relationships between structure, composition, and optical properties of the family of RE-MOFs can be used to create a large library of rationally designed, highly complex, difficult to counterfeit optical tags.

Abstract: A motorized cart assembly includes a cart that has a basket, a collapsible frame and a plurality of wheels. The basket has a height that is greater than a width of the basket to accommodate tent poles and a tent. The frame includes a pole support for insertably receiving a respective one of the tent poles to vertically orient the respective tent pole. A drive unit is coupled to the cart and the drive unit is in mechanical communication with respective ones of the wheels. The drive unit rotates the respective wheels when the drive unit is turned on thereby facilitating the cart to be self propelled. The drive unit is in wireless communication with a personal electronic device for remotely controlling the drive unit.

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprising amines on the organic linker can be used for cell targeting. In particular, primary amine groups represent one of the most versatile chemical moieties for conjugation to biologically relevant molecules, including antibodies and enzymes. Different chemical conjugation schemes can be used to conjugate biological molecules to the amino functionality on the organic linker. For example, carbodiimide chemistry can be used to link a primary amine to available carboxyl groups on the protein. For example, sulfhydryl crosslinking chemistry can be used via Traut's reagent scheme. As a demonstration of the invention, the ability of EpCAM antibody-targeted MOFs to bind to a human epithelial cell line (A549), a common target for imaging studies, was confirmed with confocal microscopy.

Abstract: A porous protocell is provided comprising one or more non-integrating vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding a non-nucleolytic fusion protein comprising a protein sequence that specifically binds a sequence in a double strand nucleic acid molecule linked to a protein sequence that is a transcriptional mediator, and optionally guide RNA or a vector for expression of guide RNA, and methods of using the protocells.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs), monodisperse populations of MSNPs and related protocells which exhibit cell binding specificity. For example, MSNPs and protocells of the disclosure may be used to target specific delivery of therapeutic agents to CD19 or EGFR expressing cancer cells, or target specific delivery of therapeutic agents to other cell types. Related protocells, pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic and diagnostic methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to protocells, which have a core and a lipid bilayer surrounding the core, with at least one CD47 molecule or an active fragment thereof in or conjugated to the lipid bilayer. The CD47 present on the lipid bilayer allows the protocell to evade phagocytosis by macrophages, and can be conjugated to the lipid bilayer via a crosslinker. The protocell can be loaded with a diagnostic or therapeutic cargo, such as a polypeptide, a nucleic acid, or a drug. The protocell can also include a targeting species for targeted delivery of the cargo to a cell. The protocell can also include an endosomolytic peptide, which promotes endosomal escape after uptake by the targeted cell. The protocells with CD47 on the lipid bilayer provide better circulation after in vivo administration compared to protocells without CD47, and are therefore particularly useful as a cargo delivery vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the delivery of polynucleotides and/or oligonucleotides using silica delivery platforms, e.g., silica carriers or protocells. In particular, in the present disclosure, polynucleotides in the form of plasmids expressing siRNA may be administered as cargo in the silica delivery platform to a patient or subject to inhibit and/or treat cancer in a patient. In one aspect, the silica delivery platform that have been charged with cargo comprising plasmid DNA (in particular, CRISPR ds plasmid DNA) which expresses siRNA, shRNA, mRNA and other RNA which may be used to administer these plasmids to patients in order to effect inhibition of cancer cells (especially including apoptosis of those cancer cells) and effective and/or prophylaxis of cancer, as well as numerous pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and/or other disease states and/or conditions. In another aspect, the silica delivery platform comprises a biological package (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the delivery of polynucleotides and/or oligonucleotides using silica delivery platforms, e.g., silica carriers or protocells. In particular, in the present disclosure, polynucleotides in the form of plasmids expressing siRNA may be administered as cargo in the silica delivery platform to a patient or subject to inhibit and/or treat cancer in a patient. In one aspect, the silica delivery platform that have been charged with cargo comprising plasmid DNA (in particular, CRISPR ds plasmid DNA) which expresses siRNA, shRNA, mRNA and other RNA which may be used to administer these plasmids to patients in order to effect inhibition of cancer cells (especially including apoptosis of those cancer cells) and effective and/or prophylaxis of cancer, as well as numerous pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and/or other disease states and/or conditions. In another aspect, the silica delivery platform comprises a biological package (e.g.

Abstract: A method for measuring the average viscosity of a test fluid uses calibrated magnetic nanoparticles, with certain chosen hydrodynamic diameters and actual lateral dimensions (e.g. diameters), that are mixed into a small volume of the test fluid and a single magnetic relaxation curve measurement to provide data for viscosity determination. The distribution of hydrodynamic particle sizes of an ensemble of magnetic nanoparticles that are magnetically blocked at room temperature can be determined. Modifications of the method can be used to determine the distribution of viscosities in a complex fluid at the sub-microscopic level providing a novel type of viscosity measurement.

Abstract: A method for measuring the average viscosity of a test fluid uses calibrated magnetic nanoparticles, with certain chosen hydrodynamic diameters and actual lateral dimensions (e.g. diameters), that are mixed into a small volume of the test fluid and a single magnetic relaxation curve measurement to provide data for viscosity determination. The distribution of hydrodynamic particle sizes of an ensemble of magnetic nanoparticles that are magnetically blocked at room temperature can be determined. Modifications of the method can be used to determine the distribution of viscosities in a complex fluid at the sub-microscopic level providing a novel type of viscosity measurement.

Abstract: A method for measuring the average viscosity of a test fluid uses calibrated magnetic nanoparticles, with certain chosen hydrodynamic diameters and actual lateral dimensions (e.g. diameters), that are mixed into a small volume of the test fluid and a single magnetic relaxation curve measurement to provide data for viscosity determination. The distribution of hydrodynamic particle sizes of an ensemble of magnetic nanoparticles that are magnetically blocked at room temperature can be determined. Modifications of the method can be used to determine the distribution of viscosities in a complex fluid at the sub-microscopic level providing a novel type of viscosity measurement.