Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for inhibiting cancer stem cell division, colony formation, spheroid formation and self-renewal. The present invention also provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for treating cancer, coating tumors, and inhibiting metastasis. The present invention also provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for inducing cells to go into stasis. The present invention further provides methods for isolating tumors, inhibiting bleeding, and marking margins of tumors and organs during surgery with a nanomaterial.

Abstract: Self assembling peptides and peptidomimetics can be utilized for the treatment and support of disorders associated with leaky or damaged tight junction and weak, diseased, or injured extracellular matrix. The self-assembling materials generally have alternating hydrophilic or hydrophobic residues or hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic sections which allow the material to react or interact with the glycoproteins found in the ECM. Diseases in which treatment with these materials applied to or near the site in need of treatment include diabetic retinopathy, sepsis, burns, and certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The formulations can be administered by injection, spraying, topically or by catheter or via a wound dressing or other material to which it is applied and then applied to the site in need of treatment.

Abstract: Compositions that include nanoscale structured materials or precursors thereof (e.g., self-assembling peptides) are described. The compositions can include other substances (e.g., a vasoconstrictor). Also described are methods for using the compositions to promote hemostasis, to protect the skin or wounds from contamination, to decontaminate a site upon removal of previously applied compositions that provided a protective coating, and to inhibit the movement of bodily substances other than blood. The compositions are also useful in isolating tissue, removing tissue, preserving tissue (for, e.g., subsequent transplantation or reattachment), and as bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agents. Medical devices that include the compositions (e.g., a stent or catheter), bandages or other wound dressings, sutures, and kits that include the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Meshes for use to control the movement of bodily fluids, such as blood, are described herein. The mesh can be partially or completely biodegradable or non-biodegradable. In one embodiment, the mesh is formed from one or more self-assembling peptides. The peptides can be in the form of fibers, such as nanofibers. The peptides can be assembled prior to formation of the mesh or after the mesh has been formed but before it is applied. Alternatively, the mesh can be prepared from unassembled peptides, which assemble at the time of application. The peptides can assemble upon contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood) or can be contacted with an ionic solution to initiate assembly.

Abstract: Compositions that include nanoscale structured materials or precursors thereof (e.g., self-assembling peptides) are described. The compositions can include other substances (e.g., a vasoconstrictor). Also described are methods for using the compositions to promote hemostasis, to protect the skin or wounds from contamination, to decontaminate a site upon removal of previously applied compositions that provided a protective coating, and to inhibit the movement of bodily substances other than blood. The compositions are also useful in isolating tissue, removing tissue, preserving tissue (for, e.g., subsequent transplantation or reattachment), and as bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agents. Medical devices that include the compositions (e.g., a stent or catheter), bandages or other wound dressings, sutures, and kits that include the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method has been developed of preventing or limiting formation of adhesions by administering to a site in need thereof, in the absence of or after bleeding or leakage of fluid has been substantially stopped, a self-assembling material which forms a barrier to formation of adhesions. In certain embodiments, the self assembling materials are peptidomimetics, nucleotidomimetics, di- and triblock copolymers, N-alkylacrylamides, or dendimers. These materials are also useful in a method for regeneration or repair of tissue or cells forming tissue.

Abstract: Compositions which self-assemble under physiological conditions are formulated for application to wounds. The formulations include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or are provided as part of a medical device or coating. The formulations may also include other therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents. The formulation can be administered as appropriate for treatment of one or more disorders or conditions. For example, the formulation may be applied to repair an injury or during surgery of the lung, eye or dura, or following an epidural or spinal tap, to stop leakage of blood, interstitial fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. The formulation may be administered to a burn or ulcer. The formulation may be dispersed in a suture or adhesive for administration at the time of or as released following suturing or gluing of a wound, thereby limiting bleeding, loss of tissue fluids, or other fluids such as those produced by parenchymal tissues such as the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A method has been developed of preventing or limiting formation of adhesions by administering to a site in need thereof, in the absence of or after bleeding or leakage of fluid has been substantially stopped, a self-assembling material which forms a barrier to formation of adhesions. In certain embodiments, the self assembling materials are peptidomimetics, nucleotidomimetics, di- and triblock copolymers, N-alkylacrylamides, or dendimers. These materials are also useful in a method for regeneration or repair of tissue or cells forming tissue.

Abstract: Compositions which self-assemble under physiological conditions are formulated for application to wounds. The formulations include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or are provided as part of a medical device or coating. The formulations may also include other therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents. The formulation can be administered as appropriate for treatment of one or more disorders or conditions. For example, the formulation may be applied to repair an injury or during surgery of the lung, eye or dura, or following an epidural or spinal tap, to stop leakage of blood, interstitial fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating cell differentiation, proliferation and morphology in vitro or in vivo are described. The methods include modifying the extracellular nanoenvironment of stem cells with a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold. The extracellular nanoenvironment can be modified by changing the percentage of self-assembling peptides used to form the nanofiber scaffold, the concentration of cells in the nanofiber scaffold, the pH, or the amounts of serum. Modulating the extracellular nanoenvironment of cells in nanofiber scaffold allows for increased targeting of cell placement and therapeutic delivery, amplified by cell encapsulation and implantation.

Abstract: Meshes for use to control the movement of bodily fluids, such as blood, are described herein. The mesh can be partially or completely biodegradable or non-biodegradable. In one embodiment, the mesh is formed from one or more self-assembling peptides. The peptides can be in the form of fibers, such as nanofibers. The peptides can be assembled prior to formation of the mesh or after the mesh has been formed but before it is applied. Alternatively, the mesh can be prepared from unassembled peptides, which assemble at the time of application. The peptides can assemble upon contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood) or can be contacted with an ionic solution to initiate assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing regeneration and/or repair of neural tissue. One method include providing a nanoscale structured material at the site of injury, wherein the nanoscale structured material provides an environment that is permissive for regeneration of neural tissue and allows axon growth from a location on one side of a site of injury or barrier to a location on the other side of the site of injury or barrier. A second method includes introducing a composition comprising self-assembling peptides into the subject at the site of injury, wherein the peptides are amphiphilic peptides that comprise substantially equal proportions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids and are complementary and structurally compatible. A variety of compositions comprising a nanoscale structured material or precursor thereof, and an additional substance such as a regeneration promoting factor, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating cell differentiation, proliferation and morphology in vitro or in vivo are described. The methods include modifying the extracellular nanoenvironment of stem cells with a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold. The extracellular nanoenvironment can be modified by changing the percentage of self-assembling peptides used to form the nanofiber scaffold, the concentration of cells in the nanofiber scaffold, the pH, or the amounts of serum. Modulating the extracellular nanoenvironment of cells in nanofiber scaffold allows for increased targeting of cell placement and therapeutic delivery, amplified by cell encapsulation and implantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for inhibiting cancer stem cell division, colony formation, spheroid formation and self-renewal. The present invention also provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for treating cancer, coating tumors, and inhibiting metastasis. The present invention also provides methods, compositions, and kits wherein nanomaterials are used for inducing cells to go into stasis. The present invention further provides methods for isolating tumors, inhibiting bleeding, and marking margins of tumors and organs during surgery with a nanomaterial.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing regeneration and/or repair of neural tissue. One method include providing a nanoscale structured material at the site of injury, wherein the nanoscale structured material provides an environment that is permissive for regeneration of neural tissue and allows axon growth from a location on one side of a site of injury or barrier to a location on the other side of the site of injury or barrier. A second method includes introducing a composition comprising self-assembling peptides into the subject at the site of injury, wherein the peptides are amphiphilic peptides that comprise substantially equal proportions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids and are complementary and structurally compatible. A variety of compositions comprising a nanoscale structured material or precursor thereof, and an additional substance such as a regeneration promoting factor, are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions that include nanoscale structured materials or precursors thereof (e.g., self-assembling peptides) are described. The compositions can include other substances (e.g., a vasoconstrictor). Also described are methods for using the compositions to promote hemostasis, to protect the skin or wounds from contamination, to decontaiminate a site upon removal of previously applied compositions that provided a protective coating, and to inhibit the movement of bodily substances other than blood. The compositions are also useful in isolating tissue, removing tissue, preserving tissue (for, e.g., subsequent transplantation or reattachment), and as bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agents. Medical devices that include the compositions (e.g., a stent or catheter), bandages or other wound dressings, sutures, and kits that include the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Self assembling peptides and peptidomimetics can be utilized for the treatment and support of disorders associated with leaky or damaged tight junction and weak, diseased, or injured extracellular matrix. The self-assembling materials generally have alternating hydrophilic or hydrophobic residues or hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic sections which allow the material to react or interact with the glycoproteins found in the ECM. Diseases in which treatment with these materials applied to or near the site in need of treatment include diabetic retinopathy, sepsis, burns, and certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The formulations can be administered by injection, spraying, topically or by catheter or via a wound dressing or other material to which it is applied and then applied to the site in need of treatment.

Abstract: Compositions which self-assemble under physiological conditions are formulated for application to wounds. The formulations include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or are provided as part of a medical device or coating. The formulations may also include other therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents. The formulation can be administered as appropriate for treatment of one or more disorders or conditions. For example, the formulation may be applied to repair an injury or during surgery of the lung, eye or dura, or following an epidural or spinal tap, to stop leakage of blood, interstitial fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. The formulation may be administered to a burn or ulcer. The formulation may be dispersed in a suture or adhesive for administration at the time of or as released following suturing or gluing of a wound, thereby limiting bleeding, loss of tissue fluids, or other fluids such as those produced by parenchymal tissues such as the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A method has been developed of preventing or limiting formation of adhesions by administering to a site in need thereof, in the absence of or after bleeding or leakage of fluid has been substantially stopped, a self-assembling material which forms a barrier to formation of adhesions. In one embodiment, the self-assembling material comprises peptides having a sequence of amino acid residues conforming to one or more of Formulas I-IV: ((Xaa°??Xaa+)x(Xaane1_Xaa?)y)n (I); ((Xaa?_Xaa)x(Xaa°e°?Xaa+)y)n (II); ((Xaa+?Xaa?e1)x(Xaa?Xaa?)y)n (III); and ((Xaa?XaaQe7)x(Xaa+Xaa1e?)y)n (IV), where Xaan? represents an amino acid residue having a neutral charge; Xaa+ represents an amino acid residue having a positive charge; Xaa represents an amino acid residue having a negative charge; x and y are integers having a value of 1, 2 or 4, independently; and n is an integer having a value of 1-5.

Abstract: Compositions that include nanoscale structured materials or precursors thereof (e.g., self-assembling peptides) are described. The compositions can include other substances (e.g., a vasoconstrictor). Also described are methods for using the compositions to promote hemostasis, to protect the skin or wounds from contamination, to decontaminate a site upon removal of previously applied compositions that provided a protective coating, and to inhibit the movement of bodily substances other than blood. The compositions are also useful in isolating tissue, removing tissue, preserving tissue (for, e.g., subsequent transplantation or reattachment), and as bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agents. Medical devices that include the compositions (e.g., a stent or catheter), bandages or other wound dressings, sutures, and kits that include the compositions are also described.