Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating G-alpha-q activity and methods of screening of test substances for the ability to modulate G-alpha-q activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising glucose regulating peptides linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in treatment of glucose regulating peptide-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Abstract: In certain embodiments compositions are provided that comprise a pentapeptide comprising the formula: C1-X2-X3-X4-C5 where C1 and C5 are independently selected cysteines or cysteine analogues, or other amino acids with sidechains suitable for cyclization, where the cysteines or cysteine analogs are attached to each other by a linkage that does not comprise X2, X3, and X4; where X2, X3, and X4 are independently selected amino acids; and the peptide, when administered to a cell alters APP signaling and/or switches APP processing from aberrant to normal. The compositions mitigate amyloid plaque formation.

Abstract: Described herein are melanocortin analogs having enhanced activity and transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of purifying proteins. More specifically, the present inventions relates to a method of purifying haptoglobin and hemopexin from the same starting material, and uses thereof.

Abstract: This application describes a family of compounds acting as ?-arrestin effectors. Such compounds may provide significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of making compositions and compositions made by these methods having improved stability and/or extended release of an active agent or drug upon administration. These compositions may generally comprise an active agent or drug non-covalently immobilized or bound to an excipient substrate. The active agent or drug may include a wide variety of drugs. Binding of the active agent or drug to the substrate may be achieved by evaporating a solvent containing the active agent dissolved therein or by triggering co-precipitation by addition of a precipitating solvent. Additional steps of vacuum removal of surrounding atmosphere and replacement with inert gas may provide additional stability. Present methods and compositions also facilitate manufacturing of drug products and may make these processes safer in some cases.

Abstract: Identification and use of proteins fluorescently labeled and that undergo a change in fluorescence index upon binding bilirubin are described. Probes are disclosed which are labeled at a cysteine or lysine residue and also probes labeled at both cysteine and lysine with two different fluorophores. These probes are useful for determination of unbound bilirubin levels in a fluid sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a multi-domain peptide capable of self-assembly into a nanofibrous hydrogel structure capable of stimulating a robust angiogenic response. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a short 15 amino acid VEGF-165 peptide mimic conjugated to a 16 amino acid multidomain peptide. A method for promoting angiogenesis and/or treating ischemic wounds in a subject is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptidomimetic macrocycles capable of modulating growth hormone levels and methods of using such macrocycles for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: Motile particles are sorted from non-motile particles in a microfluidic sorting device wherein a stream of sort fluid containing motile and non-motile particles is caused to flow adjacent a media stream in non-turbulent fashion through a sort channel, during which flow motile particles cross the interface between the adjacent flow streams, entering the media stream, and forming a motile particle-depleted sort stream. The sorting devices are easily and inexpensively fabricated and have numerous uses, in particular sorting of motile from non-motile sperm.

Abstract: Auristatin peptide analogs of MeVal-Val-Dil-Dap-Phe (MMAF) having a carboxylic acid equivalent at the C-terminal phenylalanine were prepared and attached to ligands through various linkers, including maleimidocaproyl-val-cit-PAB. The resulting ligand-drug conjugates were active in vitro and in vivo in inhibiting cell proliferation and are represented by the general structure of Lv-[(LU)0-1-(D)1-4]p wherein L- is Ligand unit; LU is a Linker unit (LU); v is 1; p is an number ranging from about 1 to about 20; and D is a drug moiety having the formula: wherein the moiety —N(R9)Z1 is a phenylalanine bioisostere, wherein Z1 is —CH(R10)Z2 so that the phenylalanine bioisostere has the structure of Formula A: and wherein the substituents R2-R10, X1 and Z2 are as defined.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as well as methods for identifying a compound or a composition that is suitable for treating HBV infection. In addition, the present invention provides a suitable non-mammalian animal model that can be used to screen for a compound or a composition that can inhibit HBV replication or treat HBV infection in a mammal. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating hepatitis B infection by inhibiting interaction between HBV x protein and a Bcl-2 family protein or by reducing the expression level of a Bcl-2 family protein.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for forming a biomaterial in situ comprising: combining a solution of a crosslinker in a water soluble organic solvent with a precursor to covalently crosslink the precursor to form a crosslinked gel, with the crosslinker comprising a plurality of first functional groups and the precursor comprising a plurality of second functional groups, with the first functional groups chemically reacting with the second functional groups in situ to form covalent bonds and thereby form the crosslinked gel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel analogs of cyclosporin, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods for their use in the treatment of dry eye and other conditions.

Abstract: Ophthalmic irrigating solutions are disclosed. The ophthalmic irrigating solution comprises: a) ?-polyglutamic acid (?-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the irrigating solution, and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the ?-PGA and/or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method of irrigating ocular tissues of a patient, in which the method comprises introducing to the ocular tissues of the patient an ophthalmic irrigating solution comprising ?-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount sufficient to irrigate the ocular tissues of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide 2 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of general formula (I) capable of regulating fibrillogenesis, stereoisomers thereof and mixtures thereof, which may or may not be racemic, and the cosmetically or dermopharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Z is alanyl, allo-isoleucyl, glycyl, isoleucyl, isoseryl, isovalyl, leucyl, norleucyl, norvalyl, prolyl, seryl, threonyl, allo-threonyl or valyl; n and m may vary between 1 and 5; AA is selected from the group consisting of natural amino acids encoded in their L- or D-form and non-encoded amino acids; x and y may vary between 0 and 2; R1 is H or alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or acyl group; and R2 is amino, hydroxyl or thiol, all of them substituted or non-substituted with aliphatic or cyclic groups. A method for obtaining cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical compositions containing them and use thereof for treating the skin, preferably those skin conditions which require regulating fibrillogenesis, such as aging and/or the softening of the appearance of scars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified peptidomimetic macrocycles. The invention additionally provides methods of preparing and using such macrocycles, for example in therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cross-linked peptide containing a novel non-peptide cross-linked structure, and a method for synthesizing the same. A cross-linked peptide having a novel non-peptide cross-linked structure, a useful intermediate for synthesizing the cross-linked peptide, and a method for synthesizing the novel cross-linked peptide and the intermediate are provided. The cross-linked peptide is characterized by having an —NR— bond in the cross-linked structure. By using the method for synthesizing the cross-linked peptide, a cross-link can be freely designed and an change can be freely made to a cross-link.