Abstract: An adhesive article includes a biocompatible and at least partially biodegradable substrate having a surface; and a plurality of protrusions extending from the surface. The protrusions include a biocompatible and at least partially biodegradable material, and have an average height of less than approximately 1,000 micrometers.

Abstract: An adhesive article includes a biocompatible and at least partially biodegradable substrate having a surface; and a plurality of protrusions extending from the surface. The protrusions include a biocompatible and at least partially biodegradable material, and have an average height of less than approximately 1,000 micrometers.

Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides enable an alternate approach to developing antimicrobial coatings due to their targeting of the membranes of the bacteria. High specific activity is achieved by orienting the peptides so that the antimicrobial ends of the peptides maximally contact the bacteria. In one embodiment, one end of the peptide is covalently attached directly to the substrate. In another embodiment, the peptides are immobilized on the substrate using a coupling agent or tether. Non-covalent methods include coating the peptide onto the substrate or physiochemically immobilizing the peptides on the substrate using highly specific interactions, such as the biotin/avidin or streptavidin system. The compositions are substantially non-leaching, antifouling, and non-hemolytic. The immobilized peptides retain sufficient flexibility and mobility to interact with and de endocytosed by the bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi upon exposure.

Abstract: Culturing embryonic stem cells without the use of embryoid bodies leads to a increase in the frequency of predetermined cell types.

Abstract: The invention is based upon the discovery that insoluble, polysaccharides, such as inulin and dextran, can be enzymatically modified in an organic solvent. Thus, the invention relates to methods for making a high molecular weight polyhydroxy polymer, such as a polysaccharide, inulin or dextran derivative, comprising reacting an acyl donor and the polymer, such as inulin or dextran, to form an acyl ester of the polymer, such as inulin dextran, in a reaction medium comprising an organic solvent in the presence of a hydrolytic enzyme; methods for making a polymer, such as a polysaccharide, an inulin or dextran polymer, comprising reacting a polymerizable acyl donor and polyhydroxyl polymer in a reaction medium comprising an organic solvent in the presence of a hydrolytic enzyme thereby making an polymeric monomer, such as an inulin monomer, and polymerizing, preferably dimerizing, the monomer, thereby making a novel polymer, such as an inulin polymer.