Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating cancer, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that inhibits a plurality of mammalian DASH serine proteases. Also disclosed is a method of (a) increasing antitumor immunity, (b) stimulating or enhancing an immune response, (c) treating a condition characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, (d) increasing cytokine and/or chemokine production, or (e) stimulating or enhancing production of T-cells, in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound that inhibits a plurality of mammalian DASH serine proteases. For example, the compound that inhibits a plurality of mammalian DASH serine proteases may be t-butylGly-boroPro.
Abstract: Methods and kits for the removal of organic contaminants from contaminated samples are generally provided. In some embodiments, the methods and kits comprise a surfactant and adsorbent particles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 5, 2017
Publication date:
November 9, 2017
Applicant:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
Albert Robbat, JR., Nicholas M. Wilton, Christian David Zeigler
Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the concentration of an analyte or analytes in a solution. Although the methods can be conducted using a number of different assay formats, in one embodiment, the assays are conducted in reaction vessels defined, at least in part, by the distal ends of fiber optic strands.
Abstract: Described are tubular silk fibroin compositions and methods for their manufacture and use. Tubular compositions as described herein can be produced in a range of high burst strengths, can easily be made in a range of inner diameters, can be derivatized with functional moieties, and can be produced in a range of permeabilities suitable for particularized uses. In one aspect, the tubular compositions can be used in the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased blood vessels, including, but not limited to vessels smaller than about 6 mm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 11, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 7, 2017
Assignees:
Trustees of Tufts College, The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Massachussets Institute of Technology
Inventors:
Michael L. Lovett, Xianyan Wang, Christopher M. Cannizzaro, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, David L. Kaplan
Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors of post-proline cleavage enzymes, such as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such inhibitors. In particular, the inhibitors are improved over those in the prior art by selection of particular classes of side chains in the P1 and/or P2 position of the inhibitor. The inhibitors can have a better therapeutic index, owing in part to reduced toxicity and/or improved specificity for the targeted protease.
Abstract: Disclosed are prodrugs of anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin) and derivatives thereof that are selectively cleaved and activated by fibroblast activating protein (FAP). The prodrugs are useful for targeted delivery of “warhead” anthracycline or anthracycline derivative to FAP-expressing tissues, including cancer (e.g., solid tumors). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs, as well as methods of using the prodrugs to treat a disorder characterized by FAP upregulation, e.g., cancer, undesirable fibrosis, and undesirable inflammation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 15, 2015
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2017
Assignee:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
William W. Bachovchin, Hung-sen Lai, David G. Sanford, Sarah E. Poplawski, Wengen Wu
Abstract: The invention provides a method for the controlled assembly of layered silk fibroin coatings using aqueous silk fibroin material. The methods described herein can be used to coat substrates of any material, shape, or size. Importantly, the described methods enable control of the biomaterial surface chemistry, thickness, morphology and structure using layered thin film coatings, or bulk coatings. Furthermore, the methods can be performed in all water and do not require intensive chemical processing enabling controlled entrapment of labile molecules such as, drugs, cytokines, and even cells or viruses to generate functional coatings that can be used in a variety of applications.
Abstract: The present invention relates to prodrugs of protease inhibitors, such as inhibitors of the proteosome, DPP IV, FAP? and the like. These“pro-inhibitors” are activated, i.e., cleaved, by an “activated protease” to release an active inhibitor moiety in proximity to a “target protease”. The identity of activating protease and target protease can be the same (such as pro-inhibitors being referred to as “Target-Activated Smart Protease Inhibitors” or “TASPI”) or different (e.g., “Target-Directed Smart Protease Inhibitors” or “TDSPI”). After activation of the pro-inhibitor, the active inhibitor moiety can self-inactivate by, e.g., intramolecular-cyclization or cis-trans isomerization.
Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to or at risk for exposure to a disease agent using a pharmaceutical composition including at least one recombinant heteromultimeric neutralizing binding protein including two or multiple binding regions, such that the binding regions are not identical, and each binding region specifically binds a non-overlapping portion of the disease agent, thereby treating the subject for exposure to the disease agent. In a related embodiment, the heteromultimeric neutralizing binding protein includes two or multiple binding regions that neutralize a plurality of disease agents. In certain embodiments, the disease agent includes a bacterium, a bacterial protein, a virus, a viral protein, a cancer cell, and a protein or molecule produced therefrom. In certain embodiments, the disease agent is a plurality of different disease agents.
Abstract: This invention provides for compositions, methods and devices for rapidly converting silk fibroin solution into a silk fibroin gel using direct application of voltage, in a process called electrogelation. The silk fibroin gel may be reversibly converted back to liquid form by applying reverse voltage or may be converted further to ?-sheet structure by applying shear force or other treatments. The electrogelated silk may be used as an extracted bulk gel, spray or stream of gel for processing into materials or devices, or may be used as silk gel coating to devices. Active agents may be embedded in the silk gel for various medical applications. This invention also provides for methods and compositions for preparing adhesive silk pH-gels. For example, the method comprises reducing pH level of a silk fibroin solution to increase the bulk or local proton concentration of the silk fibroin solution, thereby forming adhesive silk gels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 2, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2017
Assignee:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
David L. Kaplan, Tuna Yucel, Tim Jia-Ching Lo, Gary G. Leisk
Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 13, 2017
Publication date:
June 29, 2017
Applicant:
TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
Inventors:
DAVID R. WALT, KARRI LYNN MICHAEL-BALLARD
Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 13, 2017
Publication date:
June 29, 2017
Applicant:
TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
Inventors:
DAVID R. WALT, KARRI LYNN MICHAEL-BALLARD
Abstract: The invention provides transient devices, including active and passive devices that electrically and/or physically transform upon application of at least one internal and/or external stimulus. Materials, modeling tools, manufacturing approaches, device designs and system level examples of transient electronics are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 21, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 27, 2017
Assignees:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
John A. Rogers, Fiorenzo G. Omenetto, Suk-Won Hwang, Hu Tao, Dae-Hyeong Kim, David Kaplan
Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to silk-based compositions for ocular delivery of at least one active agent, e.g., at least one therapeutic agent and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the silk-based compositions can provide sustained release of at least one therapeutic agent to at least a portion of an eye. Thus, some embodiments of the silk-based compositions can be used for treatment of an ocular condition, e.g., age-related macular degeneration.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 28, 2016
Publication date:
June 22, 2017
Applicants:
Trustees of Tufts College, Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
David L. Kaplan, Michael L. Lovett, Tuna Yucel, Xiaoqin Wang
Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the concentration of an analyte or analytes in a solution. Although the methods can be conducted using a number of different assay formats, in one embodiment, the assays are conducted in reaction vessels defined, at least in part, by the distal ends of fiber optic strands.
Abstract: This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 23, 2017
Assignee:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
David L. Kaplan, Fiorenzo Omenetto, Jeffrey K. Marchant, Noorjahan Panjwani, Brian Lawrence
Abstract: The present invention relates to prodrugs of protease inhibitors, such as inhibitors of the proteosome, DPP IV, FAP? and the like. These“pro-inhibitors” are activated, i.e., cleaved, by an “activated protease” to release an active inhibitor moiety in proximity to a “target protease”. The identity of activating protease and target protease can be the same (such as pro-inhibitors being referred to as “Target-Activated Smart Protease Inhibitors” or “TASPI”) or different (e.g., “Target-Directed Smart Protease Inhibitors” or “TDSPI”). After activation of the pro-inhibitor, the active inhibitor moiety can self-inactivate by, e.g., intramolecular-cyclization or cis-trans isomerization.
Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 18, 2017
Assignee:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
David L. Kaplan, Ung-Jin Kim, Jaehyung Park, Hyoung-Joon Jin
Abstract: Disclosed herein are pH-dependent silk fibroin-based ionomeric compositions and colloids, and methods of making the same. The state of the silk fibroin ionomeric compositions is reversible and can transform from a gel-like colloid to a more fluid-like solution, or vice versa, upon an environmental stimulus, e.g., pH. Thus, the silk-based ionomeric compositions and colloids can be applied in various industries, ranging from electronic applications to biomedical applications, such as sensors, gel diodes, absorbent materials, drug delivery systems, tissue implants and contrast agents.