Abstract: Methods for chemical modification of hyaluronic acid, formation of amine or aldehyde functionalized hyaluronic acid, and the cross-linking thereof to form hydrogels are provided. Functionalized hyaluronic acid hydrogels of this invention can be polymerized in situ, are biodegradable, and can serve as a tissue adhesive, a tissue separator, a drug delivery system, a matrix for cell cultures, and a temporary scaffold for tissue regeneration.
Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes between (1) a target-binding moiety; (2) a cavity-forming moiety; and (3) a pharmacological compound to be delivered to a target, wherein the pharmacological compound is buried inside of the cavity-forming moiety, but not covalently bound to either the target-binding moiety or the cavity-forming moiety. The complexes of thus invention may be used as to deliver a pharmacological compound to cells, tissues, organs, viruses, microorganisms or other surfaces that are characterized by an entity that binds the target-binding moiety portion of the complex. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-covalent complexes of this invention. The invention also relates to methods of delivering a pharmacological compound to a target in a patient. The present invention also relates to the use of the complexes of this invention for the separation of chemical entities from their chiral forms or contaminants.