Abstract: The present invention relates to fibronectin-binding peptides according to the sequence FnI5BS-L1-FnI4BS-L2-FnI3BS-L3-FnI2BS which are useful in tumor or fibrosis diagnosis and therapy. Instant peptides show improved fibronectin-binding and biodistribution properties compared to the prior art. Furthermore, instant peptides may be conjugated to a payload and are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with pathological fibronectin accumulation, including cancer and fibrosis. Instant peptides are also useful in diagnosis of diseases associated with pathological fibronectin accumulation, including cancer and fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic polypeptide agent as well as a corresponding recombinant vector and host cell comprising such a nucleic acid and preferably expressing said fusion polypeptide. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP), at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, and optionally one or more chemical agents for linking the fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) to the diagnostic or therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a polymer scaffold that comprises the steps of providing a piece of a fabric of filaments of a first biodegradable or biocompatible polymer, applying a coating of a second polymer to said arrangement of filaments, and stretching the piece along its axis of longitudinal extension, thereby obtaining an aligned microfibrillar scaffold. The invention further relates to a method for providing an artificial tissue, and to a microfibrillar scaffold of aligned filaments obtained by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic polypeptide agent as well as a corresponding recombinant vector and host cell comprising such a nucleic acid and preferably expressing said fusion polypeptide. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP), at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, and optionally one or more chemical agents for linking the fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) to the diagnostic or therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A device for repair surgery of cylindrical organs, particularly of ruptured tendons, is configured as a tubular sheath (T) made of a mesh of elastic fibers formed by electrospinning a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The tubular sheath has a Young elasticity modulus of about 0.1 to about 4 MPa and a strain at break of about 50 to about 1,000%, and it has a first wall surface and a second wall surface substantially parallel thereto, with said first wall surface being comparatively smooth (WS) and said second wall surface being comparatively rough (WR). According to the invention, the elastic fibers comprise first fibers consist of polymer in neat form and second fibers consist of polymer with an admixture of a therapeutic agent for stimulating regrowth processes of a predetermined cylindrical organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a polymer scaffold that comprises the steps of providing a piece of a fabric of filaments of a first biodegradable or biocompatible polymer, applying a coating of a second polymer to said arrangement of filaments, and stretching the piece along its axis of longitudinal extension, thereby obtaining an aligned microfibrillar scaffold. The invention further relates to a method for providing an artificial tissue, and to a microfibrillar scaffold of aligned filaments obtained by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A device for repair surgery of cylindrical organs, particularly of ruptured tendons, is configured as a tubular sheath (T) made of a mesh of elastic fibers formed by electrospinning a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The tubular sheath has a Young elasticity modulus of about 0.1 to about 4 MPa and a strain at break of about 50 to about 1'000%, and it has a first wall surface and a second wall surface substantially parallel thereto, with said first wall surface being comparatively smooth (WS) and said second wall surface being comparatively rough (WR). According to the invention, the elastic fibers comprise first fibers consist of polymer in neat form and second fibers consist of polymer with an admixture of a therapeutic agent for stimulating regrowth processes of a predetermined cylindrical organ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to reprogramming pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by epigenetic conditioning and metabolic reprogramming into p PSCs with highly controllable biological functions, the cells obtained by said method as well as methods of using said cells.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and devices are provided based on changing the binding strength of an adhesion molecule to a ligand by changing the force exerted on the bound complex between adhesion molecule and ligand, for example by changing the shear stress acting on the complex. The adhesion molecules and their ligands of this invention bind more tightly when a force-activated bond stress, such as shear force, applied to the adhesion molecules is increased, and bond less tightly when the stress is decreased. The adhesion molecules can be isolated from their sources in nature or can remain attached to their natural sources. They can be engineered, e.g., by altering their amino acid sequences or by binding to antibodies or other particles, to alter their binding properties.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides biodegradable, porous structures that each include a structural framework, wherein the structural framework includes: (a) a solidified mixture of polymer molecules and amino acid molecules, wherein at least some of the amino acid molecules are linked to other amino acid molecules within the framework; and (b) a multiplicity of interconnected spaces defined by the structural framework. In some embodiments, the porous structures of the invention are adapted to physically support the growth of living cells in vitro or in vivo, and can be used to grow living tissue and/or living organs. The present invention also provide methods for making the biodegradable, porous structures of the invention.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and devices are provided based on changing the binding strength of an adhesion molecule to a ligand by changing the force exerted on the bound complex between adhesion molecule and ligand, for example by changing the shear stress acting on the complex. The adhesion molecules and their ligands of this invention bind more tightly when a force-activated bond stress, such as shear force, applied to the adhesion molecules is increased, and bond less tightly when the stress is decreased. The adhesion molecules can be isolated from their sources in nature or can remain attached to their natural sources. They can be engineered, e.g., by altering their amino acid sequences or by binding to antibodies or other particles, to alter their binding properties.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides biodegradable, porous structures that each include a structural framework, wherein the structural framework includes: (a) a solidified mixture of polymer molecules and amino acid molecules, wherein at least some of the amino acid molecules are linked to other amino acid molecules within the framework; and (b) a multiplicity of interconnected spaces defined by the structural framework. In some embodiments, the porous structures of the invention are adapted to physically support the growth of living cells in vitro or in vivo, and can be used to grow living tissue and/or living organs. The present invention also provide methods for making the biodegradable, porous structures of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides force-regulated molecular switches and methods for controlling binding and release of a ligand (cell, protein or other polymer, or small molecule) to the switch-containing device by the application, release or modulation of force (physical tension or an electrical or magnetic field as specifically exemplified herein). The FRMR switch technology can be applied to vectorial pumps, molecule-specific sponges, calorimetric cell motility assays, electronically addressable biorecognition arrays, cell sorting devices, tissue engineering scaffolds, calorimetric affinity assays, diagnostics and therapeutics.