Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a method of treating hair of a subject with an artificial melanin material comprises contacting in a solution artificial melanin precursors with an oxidizing agent at a temperature greater than or equal to 30° C. in the presence of the hair of the subject to form the artificial melanin material; wherein the artificial melanin material associates with the hair of the subject, thereby treating the hair of the subject. Optionally, the contacting step results in deposition of the artificial melanin material on the hair of the subject and/or uptake of the artificial melanin material into the hair of the subject.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention provides therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers that address challenges associated with conventional administration of free therapeutic peptides. In an embodiment, for example, the invention provides brush polymers incorporating one or more therapeutic peptides as side chain moieties. Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers and brush block copolymers. In an embodiment, brush polymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of making and using therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers.