Abstract: New hydrogel, including a hydrogel containing cationic BSA is included in a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to increase the potency of the vaccine.

Abstract: Cationic poly(ester ether amide)s (PEEAs) and compositions comprising PEEAs and biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. Also, a method for intracellular delivery of biomolecules using complexes of the PEEAs and biomolecules. For example, PEEAs can be used as transfection agents for nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA.

Abstract: Amino-acid based poly(ester amide) (PEA) or poly(ester ether amide) (PEEA) polymers having pendant cross-linkable functional groups. The polymers can be cross-linked to form a hydrogel. These polymers can be used in biomedical applications.

Abstract: Biodegradable saturated and unsaturated polyester amides (PEA)s made from multiamino acid monomers and methods of making biodegradable saturated and unsaturated PEAs.

Abstract: Biodegradable dextran based hydrogel suitable for biomedical application is produced by subjecting polysaccharide substituted with unsaturated moiety, e.g. dextran methacrylate, in aqueous medium to UV or visible light irradiation in the precense of riboflavin/L-arginine or riboflavin/chitosan to cause photocrosslinking of polysaccharide substituted with unsaturated moiety.

Abstract: Injectable microspheres are obtained from double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol ester by a method comprising dissolving the double bond functionalized esters in a hydrophobic organic solvent, forming an aqueous solution of stabilizer, forming an oil in water emulsion where the solution of stabilizer constitutes the continuous phase and the solution of ester constitutes the disperse phase and evaporating the organic solvent or from block copolymer of PGCLM and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: Injectable microspheres are obtained from double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol ester by a method comprising dissolving the double bond functionalized esters in a hydrophobic organic solvent, forming an aqueous solution of stabilizer, forming an oil in water emulsion where the solution of stabilizer constitutes the continuous phase and the solution of ester constitutes the disperse phase and evaporating the organic solvent or from block copolymer of PGCLM and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: Organo-soluble chitosan salts, method for preparing organo-soluble salts, chitosan-derived materials prepared with organo-soluble chitosan salts, and methods for preparing chitosan-derived materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Injectable microspheres are obtained from double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol ester by a method comprising dissolving the double bond functionalized esters in a hydrophobic organic solvent, forming an aqueous solution of stabilizer, forming an oil in water emulsion where the solution of stabilizer constitutes the continuous phase and the solution of ester constitutes the disperse phase and evaporating the organic solvent or from block copolymer of PGCLM and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable PEAs, PEURs and PEUs that are synthesized by solution polycondensation to include ?-amino acids and oligo-ethylene ether segments in the polymer backbone. The polymers can be obtained by substituting oligo-ethylene glycol (OEG) for aliphatic di-acid and diols during their fabrication. Also provided are compositions in which bioactive agents are dispersed in the polymers. The compositions biodegrade by enzymatic action to release incorporated bioactive agents and oligo-ethylene glycol segments, which are fully biodegradable at a molecular weight less than 400 Da. Due to their comparatively rapid surface enzymatic hydrolysis, the compositions can be used to deliver bioactive agents in a controlled manner within a relatively rapid delivery time, such as about 18 to 24 hours.

Abstract: Functionalized poly(ester-amides) and poly(ether ester amides) polymers having the structural formula: wherein R1 is (C2-C28)alkylene, or (C2-C28)alkylene substituted with a side chain selected from the group consisting of (2-carboxyethyl)thio, (2-hydroxethyl)thio, (2-aminoethyl)thio and (2-aminoethyl)thio hydrochloride salt; R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C6-C10)aryl (C1-C6)alkyl; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of (C2-C28)alkyloxy, (C2-C28)alkylene substituted with a side chain selected from the group consisting of (2-carboxyethyl)thio, (2-hydroxethyl) thio, (2-aminoethyl)thio and (2-aminoethyl)thio hydrochloride salt, and —C2H4(OC2H4)x; x ranges from 2-4; n ranges from 5 to 150; and wherein at least one of R1 and R4 attaches a functional group.

Abstract: Cationic poly(ester amide) (PEA)-based hydrogels are provided. The hydrogels are fabricated from unsaturated L-arginine base poly(ester-amide) (UArg-PEA) precursors, pluronicDA precursors, or a combination of UArg-PEA and pluronicDA precursors at predetermined precursor composition ratios. PluronicDA/UArg-PEA hybrid hydrogels and pure pluronicDA based hydrogels are thermoresponsive and biodegradable, while pure UArg-PEA base hydrogels are biodegradable but not thermoresponsive. UArg-PEA based, pluronicDA based and hybrid hydrogels can be synthesized from unsaturated arginine-based PEA salts and/or unsaturated pluronic acid polymers. Unsaturated pluronic acid polymers can be synthesized by reacting pluronic acid with acryloylchloride to provided functional vinyl groups at the two chain ends of pluronic acid. The hydrogels can be used to carry and/or release molecules or compounds such as bioactive compounds, can function as biologic carriers for a variety of biomedical applications.

Abstract: Biodegradable poly(ester-amides) are synthesized from amino acids, diols and dicarboxylic acids where one or both of the diols and dicarboxylic acids contain unsaturation; e.g., from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates and p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) disesters of diols where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation or from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates, and p-toluene-sulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) diesters of diols and p-toluenesulfonic acid salt of lysine ester where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation. The polymers are useful as biodegradable carriers for drugs of other bioactive agents.

Abstract: Injectable hydrogel microspheres are prepared by forming an emulsion where hydrogel precursors are in a disperse aqueous phase and polymerizing the hydrogel precursors. In a preferred case, the hydrogel precursors are poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and N-isopropylacrylamide and the continuous phase of the emulsion is an aqueous solution of dextran and a dextran solubility reducer. The microspheres will load protein, e.g., cytokines, from aqueous solution.

Abstract: Injectable hydrogel microspheres are prepared by forming an emulsion where hydrogel precursors are in a disperse aqueous phase and polymerizing the hydrogel precursors. In a preferred case, the hydrogel precursors are poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and N-isopropylacrylamide and the continuous phase of the emulsion is an aqueous solution of dextran and a dextran solubility reducer. The microspheres will load protein, e.g., cytokines, from aqueous solution.

Abstract: Variation in precursor ratio and mass of double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol precursor and polyethylene glycol diacrylate precursor provide a wide range of release rates of drug or other biologically active agent from hydrogel formed therefrom.

Abstract: Electrospun biodegradable poly(ester-amide) fabric is especially suitable as a scaffold for tissue engineering and to incorporate drug for burn or wound healing treatment to accelerate healing, or to prevent tissue adhesion after surgery.

Abstract: The invention provides biodegradable, cationic compositions based on cationic ?-amino acid-containing PEA, PEUR and PEU polymers for use in preparation of non-viral gene transfer compositions. In the invention gene transfer compositions a poly nucleic acid is condensed with the polymer to form a soluble unit wherein the electrical charge of the poly nucleic acid is neutralized by the polymers. The invention gene transfer compositions can be used to transfect target cells by contact with the target cells.

Abstract: New hydrogel, including a hydrogel containing cationic BSA is included in a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to increase the potency of the vaccine.

Abstract: Partially biodegradable hydrogel that changes its volume and shape in response to change in pH and/or temperature is prepared by UV irradiation of composition comprising dextran-maleic acid monoester and N-isopropylacrylamide.