Abstract: A silicified cell replica includes a silicified cell or a silicified subcellular fragment. The silicified cell replica may be used to induce an immunological response, treat a bacterial infection, or treat a patient with cancer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method generally includes obtaining a dried silicified cell that has been stored for at least 24 hours without cryopreservation and rehydrating the dried silicified cell in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The method can further include surface modifying the silicified cell with at least one immunogenic molecule. The method can further include administering the rehydrated silicified cell to a subject. In some embodiment, the dried silicified cell has been stored for at least 14 days without cryopreservation. In another aspect, a method of treating a tumor in a subject generally includes administering to the subject a chemotherapeutic agent effective to treat the tumor and administering to the subject a silicified cell vaccine effective to treat the tumor.

Abstract: A silicified cell replica includes a silicified cell or a silicified subcellular fragment. The silicified cell replica may be used to induce an immunological response, treat a bacterial infection, or treat a patient with cancer.

Abstract: A silicified cell includes a nanoparticle that carries a bioactive agent. The silicified call can be a tumor cell, a bacterial cell, a virus, or a silicifiable compartment or fragment thereof. The silicified cell can optionally include an immunomodulatory moiety that may be carried within pores of the nanoparticle and/or bound to the surface of the nanoparticle. The silicified cell can be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for treating tumors or bacterial infections.

Abstract: A mesoporous silica nanoparticle includes a plurality of pores, a bioactive agent disposed in at least a portion of the ores, and an immunomodulatory moiety either disposed in a portion of the pores or bound to at least a portion of the outer surface of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A biological library that includes a plurality of cryo-silicified cells, a plurality of dehydrated cryo-silicified cells, or both, where the cryo-silicified cells and/or the dehydrated cryo-silicified cells contain accessible biological information. In some embodiments, the biological information includes genetic information, proteomic information, or transcriptomic information. Members of the library may be analyzed to identify changes in the biological information associated with a medical condition or response to treatment. When the library includes B lymphocytes, cellular material from the B lymphocytes may be used to produce an antibody.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition includes a silicified cell or fraction thereof, a cationic layer disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the silicified cell or fraction thereof, and an immunomodulatory moiety bound to at least a portion of the cationic layer. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition includes a silicified cell or fraction thereof, a cationic layer disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the silicified cell or fraction thereof, an anionic layer disposed on at least a portion of the cationic layer, and an immunomodulatory moiety bound to at least a portion of the anionic layer.

Abstract: A silicified cell replica includes a silicified cell or a silicified subcellular fragment. The silicified cell replica may be used to induce an immunological response, treat a bacterial infection, or treat a patient with cancer.