Abstract: Poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, methods of forming active agent-load polyplexes and particles therefrom, and methods of using them for delivery of nucleic acid agents with optimal uptake have been developed. Examples demonstrate critical molecular weights in combination with exposed carboxylic and/or hydroxyl groups, and methods of making. Typically, the compositions are less toxic, more efficient at drug delivery, or a combination thereof compared to a control other transfection reagents. In some embodiments, the compositions are suitable for in vivo delivery, and can be administered systemically to a subject to treat a disease or condition.

Abstract: Core-shell particles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The core is formed of or contains one or more hydrophobic materials or more hydrophobic materials. The shell is formed of or contains hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG). The HPG coating can be modified to adjust the properties of the particles. Unmodified HPG coatings impart stealth properties to the particles which resist non-specific protein absorption and increase circulation in the blood. The hydroxyl groups on the HPG coating can be chemically modified to form functional groups that react with functional groups and adhere the particles to tissue, cells, or extracellular materials, such as proteins.

Abstract: Poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, methods of forming active agent-load polyplexes and particles therefrom, and methods of using them for delivery of nucleic acid agents with optimal uptake have been developed. Examples demonstrate critical molecular weights in combination with exposed carboxylic and/or hydroxyl groups, and methods of making. Typically, the compositions are less toxic, more efficient at drug delivery, or a combination thereof compared to a control other transfection reagents. In some embodiments, the compositions are suitable for in vivo delivery, and can be administered systemically to a subject to treat a disease or condition.

Abstract: Encapsulation of MPLA in HPG-PLA nanoparticles having bioadhesive functional groups on the surface (“BNPs”) prolongs the local antitumor immune response in melanoma and boosts the adaptive immune response conferred by MPLA due to the polymer's bioadhesive properties. Delivery of MPLA in BNP prolongs the host's antitumor response with lower quantities of MPLA. Studies in mice showed that NPs delivered intratumorally have good lymphatic drainage and accumulate in lymph nodes, with prolonged dendritic cell maturation in vivo with intratumoral delivery of BNP-MPLA compared to free MPLA and NNP-MPLA.

Abstract: Biodegradable contraceptive implants and methods of making and using thereof, are preferably formed of poly(?-pentadecalactone-co-p-dioxanone) [poly(PDL-co-DO)], a family of polyester copolymers that degrade slowly in the presence of water. The material is suitable as the basis of a biodegradable contraceptive implant that provides sustained release of a progestin at a rate similar to a commercially available nondegradable implant. In a preferred embodiment, the progestin is levonorgestrel (LNG), a hormone that prevents pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary or by preventing fertilization of the egg by sperm. The implant may be inserted subcutaneously, allowing degradation over a period of up to about 18 or 24 months, eliminating the need for removal by a trained practitioner.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inducing a protective mucosal immunity against an antigen in a subject include the step of administering to a mucosal tissue an effective amount of a vaccine composition including the antigen or polynucleotide encoding an antigen associated or encapsulated within carriers such as poly(amine-co-ester) polymers in the form of particles (e.g., solid nanoparticles formed of PACE) or PACE copolymers and/or blends. Typically, the subject has previously been exposed to the antigen, for example, by administering to the same subject via a systemic or mucosal route of administration a priming antigen. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides-based vaccines are messenger RNAs encoding a viral antigen such as a coronavirus spike protein sequence, or a portion thereof. In preferred embodiments, the vaccine composition is administered intranasally.

Abstract: Compositions for improved gene editing and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In a preferred method, gene editing involves use of a cell-penetrating anti-DNA antibody, such as 3E10, as a potentiating agent to enhance gene editing by nucleases and triplex forming oligonucleotides. Genomic modification occurs at a higher frequency when cells are contacted with the potentiating agent and nuclease or triplex forming oligonucleotide, as compared to the absence of the potentiating agent. The methods are suitable for both ex vivo and in vivo approaches to gene editing and are useful for treating a subject with a genetic disease or disorder. Nanoparticle compositions for intracellular delivery of the gene editing compositions are provided and are particularly advantageous for use with in vivo applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering nucleic acid cargo into cells are provided. The compositions typically include (a) a 3E10 monoclonal antibody or an antigen binding, cell-penetrating fragment thereof; a monovalent, divalent, or multivalent single chain variable fragment (scFv); or a diabody; or humanized form or variant thereof, and (b) a nucleic acid cargo including, for example, a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide, a functional nucleic acid, a nucleic acid encoding a functional nucleic acid, or a combination thereof. Elements (a) and (b) are typically non-covalently linked to form a complex.

Abstract: Poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, methods of forming active agent-load polyplexes and particles therefrom, and methods of using them for delivery of nucleic acid agents with optimal uptake have been developed. Examples demonstrate critical molecular weights in combination with exposed carboxylic and/or hydroxyl groups, and methods of making. Typically, the compositions are less toxic, more efficient at drug delivery, or a combination thereof compared to a control other transfection reagents. In some embodiments, the compositions are suitable for in vivo delivery, and can be administered systemically to a subject to treat a disease or condition. For poly(amine-co-ester) polymers with specific amine or hydroxyl group containing end-groups in admixture with PEGylated poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, in vivo delivery to the lung by inhalation has been shown.

Abstract: Nanoparticles useful for drug delivery are described. In one aspect, the nanoparticles contain poly(amine-co-ester)s or poly(amine-co-amide)s (PACE) modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PACE-PEG), and can be optionally blended with a second PACE polymer optionally containing endgroup modifications. In another aspect, the nanoparticles contain a core containing a PACE polymer optionally containing endgroup modifications, and a polymeric surfactant non-covalently conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles contain a peptide or protein targeting moiety that is covalently conjugated to the PACE-PEG polymer or to the surfactant on the surface of the nanoparticles via a linkage that contains a succinimide or substituted sulfone moiety, respectively. The nanoparticles provide as a versatile platform for the delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNA.

Abstract: Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers having one or more hydroxymethyl ?-substitutions, also referred to herein as “ser?PNA”, are provided. The hydroxymethyl ?-substitution preserves and amplifies the helical preorganization that is valuable for DNA duplex invasion by the oligomer. ser?PNA-containing triplex-forming molecules can be used in combination with a donor DNA fragment to facilitate genome modification in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Compositions containing populations of nanoparticles that show selective uptake by tissues and other cell types such as lung cells and/or bone marrow cells are described. The nanoparticles show this uptake by virtue of their size and in the absence of a targeting agent on the surface of the nanoparticles, i.e., passive targeting. The population of nanoparticles contain poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), have a diameter between about 70 nm and about 220 nm, and at least 90% of the nanoparticles have a diameter between about 110 nm and about 129 nm. The nanoparticles are manufactured using a microfluidic system. The compositions can be used to treat lung- and/or blood-related genetic disorders in in vivo gene editing technologies.

Abstract: Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers that target the ?-globin gene and can increase the frequency of recombination of donor oligonucleotide at the site of a Sickle Cell Disease mutation are provided. Nanoparticle formulations for delivering the PNA oligomers and donor oligonucleotides, and potentiating agents for increase the frequency of recombination of the donor oligonucleotide are also provided. Methods of using the PNA oligomers, donor oligonucleotides, nanoparticles, and potentiating agents for treating Sickle Cell Disease are also provided.

Abstract: Triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers having a ?-substitution in one or more residues of the Hoosteen binding segment are provided. ?PNA-containing triplex-forming molecules can be used in combination with a donor DNA fragment to facilitate genome modification in vitro and in vivo. In some embodiments, the oligomers have between 1 and 50 inclusive ?-substituted PNA residues.

Abstract: Poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, methods of forming active agent-load polyplexes and particles therefrom, and methods of using them for delivery of nucleic acid agents with optimal uptake have been developed. Examples demonstrate critical molecular weights in combination with exposed carboxylic and/or hydroxyl groups, and methods of making. Typically, the compositions are less toxic, more efficient at drug delivery, or a combination thereof compared to a control other transfection reagents. In some embodiments, the compositions are suitable for in vivo delivery, and can be administered systemically to a subject to treat a disease or condition.

Abstract: Compositions for improved gene editing and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In a preferred method, gene editing involves use of a cell-penetrating anti-DNA antibody, such as 3E10, as a potentiating agent to enhance gene editing by nucleases and triplex forming oligonucleotides. Genomic modification occurs at a higher frequency when cells are contacted with the potentiating agent and nuclease or triplex forming oligonucleotide, as compared to the absence of the potentiating agent. The methods are suitable for both ex vivo and in vivo approaches to gene editing and are useful for treating a subject with a genetic disease or disorder. Nanoparticle compositions for intracellular delivery of the gene editing compositions are provided and are particularly advantageous for use with in vivo applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing targeted gene editing and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In the most preferred embodiments, gene editing is carried out utilizing a gene editing composition such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides, CRISPR, zinc finger nucleases, TALENS, or others, in combination with a gene modification potentiating agent such as stem cell factor (SCF), a CHK1 or ATR inhibitor, or a combination thereof. A particular preferred gene editing composition is triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) substituted at the ? position for increased DNA binding affinity. Nanoparticle compositions for intracellular delivery of the gene editing composition are also provided and particular advantageous for use with in vivo applications.

Abstract: A platform technology provides particle and nucleic acid conjugates, and compositions thereof, with enhanced targeting to cells, tissues, organs. The particles and nucleic acids and other deliverables contain a synthetic binding protein such as a polypeptide monobody covalently conjugated to the surface of the particle or the nucleic acid, for linking a targeting agent to the particle's surface or the nucleic acid. The particles and nucleic acids and other deliverables optionally contain an antibody non-covalently conjugated to the binding protein, via an Fc domain of the antibody. The particles can include therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents, prophylactic agents, or a combination thereof, to be delivered to desired cells, tissues, and/or organs. The particles and nucleic acids and other deliverables can be used in a wide array of applications including, but not limited to, ex vivo perfusion of mammalian organs and in vivo disease treatment.

Abstract: Methods for gene editing of embryos in vitro are provided. The methods typically include contacting an embryo in vitro with an effective amount of non-enzymatic (e.g., non-nuclease) gene editing active agent(s) optionally encapsulated, entrapped, complexed to or dispersed in polymeric particles to induce at least one alteration in the genome of the embryo. The embryo can be a single cell zygote, however, treatment of male and female gametes prior to fertilization, and embryos having 2, 4, 8, or 16 cells, and including not only zygotes, but also morulas and blastocysts are also provided. Typically, the embryo is contacted with the particles on culture days 0-6 during or following in vitro fertilization.

Abstract: Activated polymers comprising one or more backbone ester(s) are disclosed. In particular, activated poly(amine-co-ester) (aPACE) terpolymers and methods of making and using these aPACE terpolymers are disclosed. These aPACE terpolymers can be used to safely and efficiently deliver biomolecules, in particular nucleic acids, to cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods for making activated polymers are also provided. Furthermore, methods for delivering mRNA and methods of gene therapy using activated polymers, in vitro and/or in vivo are further disclosed.