Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method for promoting angiogenesis in a subject, the method including at least the step of administering to the subject a complex that includes a nucleic acid, such as a single-stranded DNA aptamer, and collagen. In a further aspect, the DNA aptamer binds to a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) protein. In some aspects, the complex can be present as a hydrogel but exhibits behavior consistent with injection into the subject. In any of these aspects, the complex persists at a site of injection, is not cytotoxic, and does not induce systemic inflammation. In still another aspect, performing the method induces remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, induces migration and proliferation of endothelial cells, and activates pro-angiogenic signaling pathways.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of DNA aptamer assemblies of varying DNA length, structure, and sequence to both bind to collagen and other proteins, to then act as a biocompatible, degradable, reversible, or permanent 3D crosslinkers between proteins, and to service as a biologically functional material when using the appropriate aptamer sequence. Therefore, disclosed herein are compositions comprising collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are devices and implants made from or coated with collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are methods of making collagen fibers. Also disclosed are kits for producing collagen fibers. Also disclosed herein are compositions DNA aptamers in a collagen fiber matrix that stabilizes the DNA aptamer.

Abstract: A system and method to optimize eco-design, including composition and/or geometry, of objects with low environmental persistence and uncompromised performance by obtaining and integrating the environmental degradation rate of assigned materials. An environmental lifetime is determined for the object based on (a) geometry of the object, (b) the assigned material, (c) density, and (d) specific surface degradation rate. A report is generated detailing performance of the geometry for the object using the assigned material with respect to at least the cost and environmental lifetime information.

Abstract: Described herein are bioreactor chambers and systems thereof. In an embodiment, a single-plate symmetrical bioreactor chamber is described, comprising: a flow channel extending along a first axis, wherein the flow channel comprises an inlet and an outlet at opposing ends of 5 the flow channel; a pair of struts on opposing ends of a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, wherein each strut of the pair of struts are placed on opposing sides of the flow channel, wherein the struts are configured to be coupled to a bidirectional linear actuator and configured to provide a strain perpendicular to a fluid flow through the flow channel, wherein the strain does not laterally displace cells present in the flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising magnetoelectric composite materials and collagen, along with uses and kits thereof. Described herein is the use of DNA aptamer assemblies of varying DNA length, structure, and sequence to both bind to collagen and other proteins, to then act as a biocompatible, degradable, reversible, or permanent 3D crosslinkers between proteins, and to service as a biologically functional material when using the appropriate aptamer sequence. Therefore, disclosed herein are compositions comprising collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are devices and implants made from or coated with collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are methods of making collagen fibers. Also disclosed are kits for producing collagen fibers. Also disclosed herein are compositions DNA aptamers in a collagen fiber matrix that stabilizes the DNA aptamer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of DNA aptamer assemblies of varying DNA length, structure, and sequence to both bind to collagen and other ECM proteins, to then act as a biocompatible, degradable, reversible, or permanent 3D crosslinkers between proteins, and to service as a biologically functional material when using the appropriate aptamer sequence. Therefore, disclosed herein are compositions comprising collagen fibers and additional ECM components crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are devices and implants made from or coated with collagen fibers and additional ECM components crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are methods of making collagen fibers. Also disclosed are kits for producing collagen fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of DNA aptamer assemblies of varying DNA length, structure, and sequence to both bind to collagen and other proteins, to then act as a biocompatible, degradable, reversible, or permanent 3D crosslinkers between proteins, and to service as a biologically functional material when using the appropriate aptamer sequence. Therefore, disclosed herein are compositions comprising collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are devices and implants made from or coated with collagen fibers crosslinked with DNA aptamers. Also disclosed are methods of making collagen fibers. Also disclosed are kits for producing collagen fibers. Also disclosed herein are compositions DNA aptamers in a collagen fiber matrix that stabilizes the DNA aptamer.

Abstract: Described herein are bioreactor chambers and systems thereof. In an embodiment, a single-plate symmetrical bioreactor chamber is described, comprising: a flow channel extending along a first axis, wherein the flow channel comprises an inlet and an outlet at opposing ends of 5 the flow channel; a pair of struts on opposing ends of a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, wherein each strut of the pair of struts are placed on opposing sides of the flow channel, wherein the struts are configured to be coupled to a bidirectional linear actuator and configured to provide a strain perpendicular to a fluid flow through the flow channel, wherein the strain does not laterally displace cells present in the flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel immunogens, antibodies prepared from such immunogens, and labeled reagents useful in immunoassays for the detection and quantification of testosterone in a test sample. Also disclosed are immunoassays using these reagents and methods for synthesizing these reagents. The immunoassays are preferably microparticle enzyme immunoassays (MEIAs) and fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIAs). Further disclosed are novel starting materials for making the above novel immunogens and labeled reagents. Methods for making the novel immunogens and labeled reagents from the novel starting materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for making 1-.alpha.-(carboxyalkyl)testosterone having the following formula: ##STR1## The process involves protecting the 17 position of 1,4-androstadien-17 .beta.-ol-3-one with TBDMS, alkylating with an alkenylmagnesium bromide and ozonolyzing the resulting ether. The resulting product is oxidized with sodium hypochloride followed by removal of the TBDMS protecting group with aqueous hydrofluoric acid in acetonitrile to produce the 1-.alpha.-(carboxyalkyl)-testosterone.

Abstract: A Position 1 immunogen having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: (a) P represents an immunogenic carrier material(b) X represents a linking moiety wherein --X--P is attached to a testosterone derivative(c) n is from 1 to 10, inclusive(d) the degree of substitution of P by the testosterone derivative is from 1 to 100%, inclusive.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel immunogens, antibodies prepared from such immunogens, and labeled reagents useful in immunoassays for the detection and quantification of testosterone in a test sample. Also disclosed are immunoassays using these reagents and methods for synthesizing these reagents. The immunoassays are preferably microparticle enzyme immunoassays (MEIAs) and fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIAs). Further disclosed are novel starting materials for making the above novel immunogens and labeled reagents. Methods for making the novel immunogens and labeled reagents from the novel starting materials are also disclosed.