Abstract: The present invention relates to biocompatible polymeric scaffold materials, methods for making the materials and methods of using the materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants and grafts comprising polymeric scaffold materials of cross-linked human tropoelastin polypeptides and methods of making and using the same. In addition, the present invention provides alternatively spliced tropoelastin polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A dermatological formulation is disclosed comprising one or more amino acid-based antioxidants in an amount effective to reduce photodamage to skin exposed to UV radiation, and a dermatologically acceptable carrier, wherein the amino acid-based antioxidant includes an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, cysteine, tryptophan, threonine, histidine, serine, methionine, lysine and phenylalanine.

Abstract: A method of producing metal-rich plants for the production of nutritional supplements. Edible plants are placed in a growth environment containing metal, and are cultivated in a fashion which enhances the uptake of metal into edible portions of the plants. The plants are then harvested, and may be eaten directly or processed into capsule or tablet form, in order to obtain the metallic nutrients so incorporated.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for producing pharmaceutically active proteins in transgenic sprouted seedlings. The transgenic sprouted seedlings of the invention are grown in a contained, regulatable environment, wherein expression of a pharmaceutically active protein is controlled by an exogenously inducible promoter. The transgenic sprouted seedlings may be eaten live or preferably harvested live to preserve the maximal biological activity of the pharmaceutically active protein.

Abstract: It is described a dermatological formulation comprising: one or more amino acid-based antioxidants in an amount effective to reduce or repair photodamage to skin exposed to UV radiation; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method of producing edible Brassica plants capable of accumulating significant concentrations of selenium in edible portions of the plant. Edible Brassica plants were grown in an environment containing selenium, the plants were cultivated under conditions that allow enhanced uptake of the metal into edible portions of the plants, wherein the concentration of selenium accumulated in the edible portions of the plant is higher than the concentration of selenium in the environment. The plants are then harvested for further use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for reconstituting nucleic acid molecules that have been degraded but still contain useful genetic information. The present invention uses, as a template for reconstituting degraded nucleic acids in a biological sample, nucleic acids from a genetically related or identical organism having a sequence homologous to the degraded nucleic acids. After hybridization of the degraded nucleic acids to the template, regions of the degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex containing template nucleic acid molecules hybridized to degraded nucleic acids are filled in with nucleotides using the intact nucleic acid molecule as a template. The newly formed strand of nucleic acid is used as the template for a subsequent step of hybridization to degraded nucleic acid molecules. Regions of degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex are again filled in with nucleotides using the newly formed nucleic acid as the new template.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting wound healing. The composition comprises virgin monomers of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase. When the lysyl oxidase comes in contact with the tropoelastin, cross-linking of the tropoelastin monomers will occur to form elastin. Contacting the tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase together and applying the mixture to a wound before substantial cross-linking has occurred promotes wound healing by holding the damaged tissue together, increasing the rate of healing, and decreasing the amount of scarring.

Abstract: A hair treatment composition including a non naturally-occurring keratin protein in combination with a hair treatment formula is described. The protein is preferably of human origin and has not been previously cross-linked. The protein is most preferably selected from the group of soluble keratin proteins found in human hair. Preferably, the composition contains one, preferably at least two allelic variants of the protein, most preferably in substantially the same ratio at which they are found in hair of a selected individual. The individual may be selected, for example, on the basis of having appealing hair, of being the future user of the hair treatment composition of other reasons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for reconstituting nucleic acid molecules that have been degraded but still contain useful genetic information. The present invention uses, as a template for reconstituting degraded nucleic acids in a biological sample, nucleic acids from a genetically related or identical organism having a sequence homologous to the degraded nucleic acids. After hybridization of the degraded nucleic acids to the template, regions of the degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex containing template nucleic acid molecules hybridized to degraded nucleic acids are filled in with nucleotides using the intact nucleic acid molecule as a template. The newly formed strand of nucleic acid is used as the template for a subsequent step of hybridization to degraded nucleic acid molecules. Regions of degraded nucleic acids that are missing in the duplex are again filled in with nucleotides using the newly formed nucleic acid as the new template.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting wound healing. The composition comprises virgin monomers of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase. When the lysyl oxidase comes in contact with the tropoelastin, crosslinking of the tropoelastin monomers will occur to form elastin. Contacting the tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase together and applying the mixture to a wound before substantial cross-linking has occurred promotes wound healing by holding the damaged tissue together, increasing the rate of healing, and decreasing the amount of scarring.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition including a non naturally-occurring extracellular matrix protein in combination with a cosmetic carrier is described. The protein is preferably of human origin and has not been previously cross-linked. The protein is most preferably selected from the group consisting of soluble human procollagen and soluble human tropoelastin. Preferably, the composition contains at least two allelic variants of the protein, most preferably in substantially the same ratio at which they are found in epidermis of a selected individual. The individual may be selected, for example, on the basis of having youthful-appearing skin, of being the future wearer of the composition, or of other reasons.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing edible plant tissue biomasses suitable for use as nutritional supplements. The seedlings are exposed to at least one metal and normal seedling growth is interrupted prior to the eleventh day following germination to thereby produce a metal-enriched plant seedling tissue biomass. The metal-containing edible plant tissue biomasses are also provided.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition including a non naturally-occurring extracellular matrix protein in combination with a cosmetic carrier is described. The protein is preferably of human origin and has not been previously cross-linked. The protein is most preferably selected from the group consisting of soluble human procollagen and soluble human tropoelastin. Preferably, the composition contains at least two allelic variants of the protein, most preferably in substantially the same ratio at which they are found in epidermis of a selected individual. The individual may be selected, for example, on the basis of having youthful-appearing skin, of being the future wearer of the composition, or of other reasons.

Abstract: A hair treatment composition including a non naturally-occurring keratin protein in combination with a hair treatment formula is described. The protein is preferably of human origin and has not been previously cross-linked. The protein is most preferably selected from the group of soluble keratin proteins found in human hair. Preferably, the composition contains one, preferably at least two allelic variants of the protein, most preferably in substantially the same ratio at which they are found in hair of a selected individual. The individual may be selected, for example, on the basis of having appealing hair, of being the future user of the hair treatment composition of other reasons.

Abstract: A method of producing metal-rich plants for the production of nutritional supplements. Edible plants are placed in a growth environment containing metal, and are cultivated in a fashion which enhances the uptake of metal into edible portions of the plants. The plants are then harvested, and may be eaten directly or processed into capsule or tablet form, in order to obtain the metallic nutrients so incorporated.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods by which hyperaccumulation of metals in plant shoots is induced by exposure to inducing agents. Hyperaccumulation occurs as part of a two-step process in which metals are first accumulated into plant roots; subsequent transport to plant shoots is induced by exposure to the agent. In preferred embodiments, manipulations that increase availability of metals to the plant are employed prior to application of the inducing agent. Effective inducing agents include conditions of low pH, chelators, herbicides, and high levels of heavy metals. Other phytotoxic agents are also useful. Application of multiple inducing agents results in synergistic effects.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition including a non naturally-occurring extracellular matrix protein in combination with a cosmetic carrier is described. The protein is preferably of human origin and has not been previously cross-linked. The protein is most preferably selected from the group consisting of soluble human procollagen and soluble human tropoelastin. The protein may include at least one additional non-naturally occurring amino acid sequence moiety, the amino acid sequence moiety selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic sequence, a hydrophilic sequence, and a lysine-rich sequence.A cosmetic composition in which the non naturally-occurring extracellular matrix protein is an isomorphic form of the protein is also described. The isomorph of the protein is preferably selected from the group consisting of elastin isomorphs, collagen isomorphs and fibronectin isomorphs. Most preferably, the isomorphs are of human origin and have not been previously cross-linked.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention feature the use of and electric current to induce movement of bacteria in situ to degrade contaminants in aquifers.

Abstract: Hydrophobic contaminants are removed from a particulate matter by contacting the particulate matter with a solid organic phase. The hydrophobic contaminants have greater affinity for the solid organic phase than for the particulate matter and repartition to the solid organic phase. The solid organic phase is then separated from the particulate matter. A typical embodiment utilizes polystyrene particles to remove polychlorinated biphenyls from soil.