Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic silica-based ocular devices fabricated from a composite material comprising silica and a fibrillar protein, together with methods of making and using the ocular devices.

Abstract: Waterborne aqueous-alcohol soluble protein compositions, methods of making the compositions, and applications thereof are disclosed. The dispersion compositions include protein, water, acid, and optionally an ester of a carboxylic acid. The methods of making the compositions including combining the protein, water, acid and optionally ester to form a dispersion without the benefit of alcohol. Applications include industrial and food applications, such as binders and coatings, for example paint binders or coatings for paper products and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: One-part binder compositions are described that may include a protein and a crosslinking combination. The crosslinking combination may include at least a first crosslinking compound and a second crosslinking compound. The first and second crosslinking compounds are individually crosslinkable with each other and with the protein. Examples of the protein include soy protein. Fiber products and methods of making the fiber products are also described. The fiber products may include organic fibers, inorganic fibers, or both, in a cured thermoset binder based on solutions of the one-part binder compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel benzindocyanine compound for labeling biomolecules and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: A wood-containing composite are described that may include a lignocellulosic material, and a formaldehyde-free binder in contact with at least a portion of the lignocellulose material. The binder is formed from a binder composition that includes a soy flour, a polymer, and a crosslinking agent, at least a portion of each of which are covalently crosslinked to each other in the binder. Also described are methods of making wood-containing composites by providing a pre-mixed, one-part binder composition of at least 60 wt. % soy flour, a polymer, and a crosslinking agent. The binder composition is applied to lignocellulosic material, and the combination may be heated at a temperature of about 100° C. or more to cure the binder composition into a binder. The cured binder has the soy protein, polymer, and crosslinking agent covalently bonded to each other.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change wettability and surface characteristics of biological surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to change wettability and sterically stabilize, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to prevent adherence of unwanted proteins, for example in the treatment of contact lens intolerance, are provided.

Abstract: A clickable cross-linker compound provides an easily scanned reporter ion for effective and efficient cross-linking and identification of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions of proteins and peptides.

Abstract: A graft polymer of polysaccharides or polypeptides or its respective derivatives, obtainable by free radical polymerization of A) a monomer selected from or a monomer mixture of (a) from 20 to 100% by weight of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or of a mixture thereof or of the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts thereof, (b) from 0 to 80% by weight of other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers which are copolymerizable with the monomers (a) and (c) from 0 to 5% by weight of monomers having at least 2 ethylenically unsaturated, nonconjugated double bonds in the molecule, in the presence of either B1) polysaccharides, oxidatively, hydrolytically or enzymatically degraded polysaccharides, oxidized hydrolytically degraded or oxidized enzymatically degraded polysaccharides, or such chemically modified degraded products, chemically modified mono-, oligo-or poly-saccharides or mixtures of the stated compounds and/or B2) polypeptides, their hydrolysates or enzymaticallydegraded and optionally chemi

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polymerizable composition capable of providing antimicrobial properties to ophthalmic and medical devices relatively inexpensively with ease, and an antimicrobial composition obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable composition. A polymerizable composition for ophthalmic or medical use comprising an epsilon-polylysine having (meth)acryloyl group is provided. The content of the epsilon-polylysine having (meth)acryloyl group in the polymerizable composition is preferably about 0.1 to 99% by weight, based on the whole amount of the composition. A coating agent for ophthalmic or medical use comprising the above polymerizable composition, an antimicrobial composition for ophthalmic or medical use obtained by polymerizing the above polymerizable composition, an ophthalmic or medical device comprising the antimicrobial composition, and a contact lens comprising the antimicrobial composition are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to adhesives derived from animal or plant proteins, particularly canola and spent hen proteins. The adhesives are prepared by extracting the proteins by pH shifting; and either treating the extracted proteins with urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate, or polymerizing the proteins to form a protein-polymer conjugate. The invention is also directed to a wood based product comprising pieces of wood based material joined or consolidated with the adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties.

Abstract: A thermo-responsive polymer covalently bound with a peptide, wherein the peptide comprises a peptide moiety that is able to self-assemble and a functional peptide moiety comprising a bioactive sequence, and compositions comprising such thermo-responsive polymer covalently bound with a peptide. Methods for the preparation of such thermo-responsive polymers covalently bound with a peptide and the use thereof for the preparation of hydrogels.

Abstract: Disclosed are fast-curing, inexpensive corn-gluten resin compositions, methods for making them, methods for forming them into solid articles. In some embodiments, the resin composition includes corn meal gluten and a non-toxic organic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel benzindocyanine compound for labeling biomolecules and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: A thermoplastic biobased material-containing composition comprising chemically-modified feathers and/or dried distillers grains and a process for forming the thermoplastic biobased material-containing composition. More specifically, the thermoplastic biobased material-containing composition comprises one or more of the following chemically-modified biobased materials: (a) acylated biobased material having a % Acyl Content that is at least 3% and a % Weight Gain that is at least 1%, and; (b) etherified biobased material having a % Weight Gain that is at least 2%; and (c) graft polymerized biobased material having a % Monomer Conversion that is at least 40%, a % Grafting Efficiency that is at least 30%, and a % Grafting that is at least 10%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A protein-acrylate copolymer contains at least one nitrogen containing acrylic monomer. The nitrogen containing acrylic monomer preferably contains a tertiary or quaternary amine group, and particularly a quaternary amine group. The protein-acrylate copolymer can be produced by reacting hydrolysed protein with at least one nitrogen containing acrylic monomer, preferably by free-radical polymerisation. The protein-acrylate copolymer is suitable for use in personal care or cosmetic products, particularly in hair care products where it can increase volume to hair.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing a methacrylate-derivatized type-I collagen in which methacrylic acid is reacted with a carboxylic acid activating reagent in the presence of a carbodiimide to form a methacrylic acid with an activated carboxylic acid group, which is then reacted with free amino groups on type-I collagen to form a collagen methacrylamide. Methacrylate-derivatized collagen, cross-linked collagens formed therefrom and products containing the cross-linked collagen are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a molecularly imprinted structure for detection of a pentraxin protein and a method for preparing the same by synthesizing a reactive group-pentraxin protein ligand complex specifically reacting with the pentraxin protein and being polymerizable with a crosslink agent to detect a pentraxin protein by using the complex. The present disclosure also provides a chip for detection of a C-reactive protein and a method for preparing the same, the chip including a molecularly imprinted layer having excellent sensitivity to a C-reactive protein and an improved binding force to a metal substrate by using click chemistry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a polypeptide comprising an orthogonal functional group, said orthogonal functional group being comprised by an aliphatic amino acid or amino acid derivative, said method comprising providing a host cell; providing a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest; providing a tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair orthogonal to said host cell; adding an amino acid or amino acid derivative comprising the orthogonal functional group of interest, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative is a substrate for said orthogonal tRNA synthetase, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative has an aliphatic carbon backbone; and incubating to allow incorporation of said amino acid or amino acid derivative into the polypeptide of interest via the orthogonal tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair. The invention also relates to certain amino acids, and to polypeptides comprising same.

Abstract: Implantable biocompatible polymeric medical devices include a substrate with an acid or base-modified surface which is subsequently modified to include click reactive members.

Abstract: The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties.

Abstract: A poly(glutamic acid)-drug conjugate with an amino acid as a linker, and nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are provided in the present invention. The drug is gemcitabine, paclitaxel or docetaxel. The ?-carboxyl group in the amino acid is linked to 5?-hydroxy in gemcitabine molecule or linked to 2?-hydroxy in paclitaxel (docetaxel) molecule via an ester linkage. The ?-amino group in the amino acid is linked to the carboxyl group in the poly-(L-glutamic acid) molecule via an amide linkage. The content of gemcitabine in the conjugate is 5-30% in weight, and the content of paclitaxel or docetaxel is 10-40% in weight.

Abstract: A clickable cross-linker compound provides an easily scanned reporter ion for effective and efficient cross-linking and identification of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions of proteins and peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable scaffolds composed of a naturally-occurring protein backbone cross-linked by a synthetic polymer. Specifically, the present invention provides PEGylated-fibrinogen scaffold and methods of generating and using same for treating disorders requiring tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymerizable compositions which comprise 10-80% by weight of a reactive diluent based on acrylic acid or methacrylic acid derivatives, and 10-50% by weight of a monomer of the indicated chemical formula which is liquid or which can be dissolved in the formulation. The formula may contain amino acid residues or peptide sequences, especially such that are specific of the collagen. These structural elements allow the enzymatic degradation of the polymers of the inventive composition.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 2000 nm, wherein said nanoparticles comprise a polymer having pendant cleavable iodine substituted groups are provided. Processes for preparing the nanoparticles and their use as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging are also described.

Abstract: One-part binder compositions are described that may include a protein and a crosslinking combination. The crosslinking combination may include at least a first crosslinking compound and a second crosslinking compound. The first and second crosslinking compounds are individually crosslinkable with each other and with the protein. Examples of the protein include soy protein. Fiber products and methods of making the fiber products are also described. The fiber products may include organic fibers, inorganic fibers, or both, in a cured thermoset binder based on solutions of the one-part binder compositions.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a protein-polymer conjugate includes the steps: covalently attaching at least one controlled radical polymerization initiator to a protein to form a protein-initiator composition; and mixing the protein-initiator composition with at least one monomer which undergoes controlled radical polymerization in the presence of the protein-initiator composition under conditions suitable to initiate the controlled radical polymerization.

Abstract: Chemical polymerization procedures initiated by, and proceeding from, a biomolecule, particularly a protein, for the formation of biomolecule-polymer conjugates, particularly protein-polymer conjugates, which have therapeutic uses, are intermediates for forming other materials or are usable in diagnostic sensors are disclosed. Polymerization can be initiated by a protein in the absence of additional initiation agents to form the protein-polymer conjugate. Alternatively, polymerization is initiated in the presence of an additional initiation agent that does not interact with the protein. Amino acids existing in the protein can serve as the sites for initiation of the polymerization or the protein can be modified to contain site(s) for initiation or protein with active sites can be prepared by recombinant methods, chemical ligation, solid-phase synthesis, or other techniques to generate site(s) for initiation.

Abstract: A derivative of a cytidine metabolic antagonist which can exert a high therapeutic effect at a low dose. A polymeric derivative of a cytidine metabolic antagonist which comprises a polymeric compound having a polyethylene glycol moiety and a polymer moiety having a carboxyl group in a side chain and a cytidine metabolic antagonist, which has such a structure that the carboxyl group in the side chain of the polymeric compound and an amino group in the cytidine metabolic antagonist are bound together to form an amide bond.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 2000 nm, wherein said nanoparticles comprise a polymer having pendant cleavable iodine substituted groups are provided. Processes for preparing the nanoparticles and their use as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging are also described.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of membrane protein immobilization onto supports. It relates to a product comprising a support and at least one membrane protein attached to the surface thereof, characterized in that said membrane protein is attached to said support using an amphiphilic molecule with which said membrane protein is complexed. It also relates to a process for preparing such product, as well as to various applications in the fields of diagnosis, drug design and biotechnologies. It further relates to a kit, together with a functionalized amphiphilic molecule, for preparing a product according to the invention comprising a support and an amphiphilic molecule, wherein the amphiphilic molecule and the support interact through a hydrophobic bond, an ionic bond, a specific bond or a covalent bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crosslinked polymeric nanospheres having a star-shaped structure of the core-branch type, in which the branches are of a hydrophilic nature and the core is of a polymeric, crosslinked, hydrophobic nature and forms the imprint of all or at least part of a target molecule and to a process for preparing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of water soluble melanin in solid plastic films of polyvinyl alcohol to be used in conjunction with other plastics to make laminated sheets or lenses. Such laminates will be used as filters to protect against photochemical damage from electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel biopolymer consisting of a three-dimensional cross-linked mixture of (a) a cross-linking agent, activated with an activating agent, dissolved in a aqueous solution, and (b) a recombinant protein, namely polyubiquitin. The novel biopolymer is based on the cross-linking of ubiquitin (monomeric and/or polymeric) with a cross-linking agent, preferably bifunctionalized polyethylene oxides or a polyethylene glycol of various molecular masses (MW 2000 to 35 000 kDa), dissolved in aqueous solution in adequate proportions. The novel biopolymer offers a wide range of formulations since the number of ubiquitin units and cross-linking agent can vary both in length and ratio. The novel hydrogel is also biodegradable by a specific protease and is resistant to a wide range of other proteases.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified naturally occurring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin made by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas, typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical properties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine, food technology and other industrial applications. Notwithstanding the modifications, the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer.

Abstract: Materials comprising proteinaceous prepolymers comprising at least one first reactive group reacted with one or more reactive groups on synthetic prepolymers, and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A coating mix for the production of coated paper and board is described in form of an aqueous dispersion with a solids content of 50 to 80% consisting of pigments, binders, and additives. The coating mix exhibits thixotropic flow characteristics and is characterized by the usage of special amine-group or amide-group containing polymers, which act as protective colloids for the pigment particles. The coating mix contains preferably between 0.1 to 1 weight percent of a grafted gelatin.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying naturally occuring biocompatible biopolymers of plant and animal origin by subjecting same to ionizing radiation in the presence of a mediating gas, typically acetylene to enable one to selectively enhance and modify one or more of the physiochemical propserties of the starting materials which have a wide range of uses in medicine, food technology and other industrial applications. Notwithstanding the modifications, the biocompatibility of the biopolymer remains unchanged and no new or additional functional groups are introduced into the starting biopolymer.

Abstract: Polymers containing amino acid and/or polypeptide moieties in their backbones or pendant to their backbones are made by metathesis. A method of making an amino acid or polypeptide containing polymer includes the steps of: providing a amino acid, amino alcohol, or polypeptide-containing monomer; forming a reaction mixture by contacting the monomer with an agent capable of catalyzing the polymerization of the monomer into a polymer; and placing the reaction mixture under conditions that result in the formation of the polymer in reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are hyaluronate-containing hydrogels having angiogenic and vascularizing activity and pre-gel blends for preparing the hydrogels. The hydrogels contain a cross-linked matrix of a non-angiogenic hyaluronate and a derivatized polysaccharide material, in which cross-linking is effected by free-radical polymerization. Kits for preparing the hydrogels are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hybrid polymer material or system that combines naturally occurring building blocks with synthetic building blocks. The sets of naturally occurring and synthetic building blocks are mixed and joined on a molecular or nanoscopic level to give homogeneous or microphase-separated morphologies to the resulting mixed polymer system. These hybrid polymers combine the comfort attributes of natural materials with the robustness and design properties of synthetic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oral drug delivery system which delivers biologically active substances to the mucosal tissue of the intestine utilizing novel polymerized liposomes. Novel polymerizable fatty acids having a polymerizable group, a surfactant group, and a functional group, and optionally coupled to ligands which target mucosal tissue in the intestine are disclosed. Novel negatively charged polymerizable lipids which have phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) or phosphatidyl serine (PS) groups on a polymerizable backbone are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a process for producing a water-absorbing agent by using a crosslinking agent of high safety, wherein the water-absorbing agent is excellent in the absorption capacities under no load and under a load and further in the blocking ratio under a load, and can display excellent absorption properties even if the weight percentage of the water-absorbent resin (resin concentration) is high when the water-absorbent resin is used for materials such as sanitary materials; and such a water-absorbing agent. The water-absorbent resin is mixed and treated with an oxazoline compound, wherein the oxazoline compound has at least three structural units of general formula (1) below: wherein R1˜R4 separately denote a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aromatic group, a halogen group, a substituted alkyl group, or a substituted aromatic group.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer-protein composite based upon placing a protein in solution in an organic phase via the ion-pairing of the protein with a surfactant. The polymer-protein composites are useful, for example, as highly active and stable catalysts, in for example, paints and coatings, as well as in medical application.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.