Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing the antigenicity of molecules. The antigenicity of a molecule may be reduced or eliminated by conjugating at least one branched polymer to the molecule to form a molecule-polymer conjugate. The branched polymer may include a backbone and a plurality of side chains, each side chain covalently attached to the backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting analytes from a sample.

Abstract: An article such as a biomolecular detector or biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon includes: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer; and (d) a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) bound to the polymer layer. Methods of making and using the articles are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of enhancing in vivo efficacy of an active agent, comprising: administering to a subject an active agent that is coupled to a bioelastic polymer or elastin-like peptide, wherein the in vivo efficacy of the active agent is enhanced as compared to the same active agent when administered to the subject not coupled to (or not associated with) a bioelastic polymer or ELP.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic agents and compositions comprising elastin-like peptides (ELPs) and therapeutic proteins. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, insulin, or Factor VII/VIIa, including functional analogs. The present invention further provides encoding polynucleotides, as well as methods of making and using the therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents have improvements in relation to their use as therapeutics, including, inter alia, one or more of half-life, clearance and/or persistence in the body, solubility, and bioavailability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates of a therapeutic compound and polypeptides, such as a conjugate of niclosamide and an elastin-like polypeptide. These conjugates may form nanoparticles through self-assembly, which improve the solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic profiles of the therapeutic compound. Also disclosed are methods for treating cancer, parasite infection, bacterial infection, viral infection, metabolic diseases, Type II diabetes, NASH, NAFLD, artery constriction, endometriosis, neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease, and systemic sclerosis.

Abstract: Drug-polymer chemotherapeutics are provided having improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced dose-limiting toxicity. Methods are also provided for modulating the architecture, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of drug-polymers and for reducing the dependence of transition temperature on concentration for drug-polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing the antigenicity of molecules. The antigenicity of a molecule may be reduced or eliminated by conjugating at least one branched polymer to the molecule to form a molecule-polymer conjugate. The branched polymer may include a backbone and a plurality of side chains, each side chain covalently attached to the backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing the antigenicity of molecules, wherein the molecule comprises a uricase. The antigenicity of a molecule may be reduced or eliminated by conjugating at least one branched polymer to the molecule to form a molecule-polymer conjugate. The branched polymer may include a backbone and a plurality of side chains, each side chain covalently attached to the backbone.

Abstract: Provided herein are fusion proteins including at least one binding polypeptide and at least one unstructured polypeptide. The fusion protein may further include at least one linker. Further provided are methods for determining the presence of a target in a sample, methods of treating a disease, methods of diagnosing a disease in a subject, and methods of determining the effectiveness of a treatment for a disease in a subject. The methods may include administering to the subject an effective amount of the fusion protein.

Abstract: Provided herein are conjugates including a polypeptide and one or more drug molecules. The polypeptide includes one or more charged motifs, and may further include one or more uncharged motifs. The conjugates may be used to effectively deliver the drug molecule to a subject.

Abstract: Methods for producing polypeptide-polymer conjugates include attachment of an initiator agent to a polypeptide specifically at the C-terminus of the polypeptide using a sortase enzyme and in situ polymerization of a polymer from the C-terminus. The polypeptide-polymer conjugates may have desirable pharmacological properties and may be used therapeutically.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chips, devices, methods of making the same, and methods of detecting a target analyte, and methods of diagnosing an individual with a disease or condition when a target analyte associated with the disease or condition is detected.

Abstract: An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described. The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) coupled to the brush molecules. The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon. Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion. Methods of using the articles are also described.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to compositions, methods, and systems (e.g., platforms) comprising the same, the systems comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of micro- and macro-hydrogels that are formed from polypeptide micelles. The systems have enhanced mechanical properties that can be useful in a wide variety of applications, can be used for controlled release of drug-loaded micelles, and can be designed to reversibly assemble and disassemble on demand.

Abstract: An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described. The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) coupled to the brush molecules. The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon. Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion. Methods of using the articles are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes environmentally responsive polypeptides capable of displaying stimuli-triggered conformational changes in a reversible or irreversible manner that may be accompanied by aggregation. Polypeptides include a number of repeated motifs and may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric. The polypeptides may be used to deliver therapeutics to a biological site and to develop bioactive polypeptides that are environmentally responsive.

Abstract: Methods for producing polypeptide-polymer conjugates include attachment of an initiator agent to a polypeptide specifically at the C-terminus of the polypeptide using a sortase enzyme and in situ polymerization of a polymer from the C-terminus. The polypeptide-polymer conjugates may have desirable pharmacological properties and may be used therapeutically.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic agents and compositions comprising elastin-like peptides (ELPs) and therapeutic proteins. In some embodiments, the therapeutic protein is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, insulin, or Factor VII/VIIa, including functional analogs. The present invention further provides encoding polynucleotides, as well as methods of making and using the therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agents have improvements in relation to their use as therapeutics, including, inter alia, one or more of half-life, clearance and/or persistence in the body, solubility, and bioavailability.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes environmentally responsive polypeptides capable of displaying stimuli-triggered conformational changes in a reversible or irreversible manner that may be accompanied by aggregation. Polypeptides include a number of repeated motifs and may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric. The polypeptides may be used to deliver therapeutics to a biological site and to develop bioactive polypeptides that are environmentally responsive.