Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing fluid communication between body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for establishing a controlled flow or access passage between body lumens. For example, a device may include an elongate tubular body defining a lumen along a length thereof. The elongate tubular body may have an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, a proximal portion of the elongate tubular body may expand into a proximal retention member and a distal portion of the elongate tubular body may expand into a distal retention member, leaving a cylindrical saddle region extending therebetween. The cylindrical saddle region may include a constricted portion configured to move between a first diameter configuration and a second diameter configuration larger than the first diameter configuration.

Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. It is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis and an average 5-year survival rate of about 30%. Disclosed herein are composition and methods for treating leukemia with a biomaterial comprising a polymer scaffold, a dendritic cell activating factor, a dendritic cell recruitment factor, and at least one leukemia antigen. The biomaterial-based vaccine disclosed herein promotes a potent, durable and transferable immune response against acute myeloid leukemia to prevent cell engraftment and synergizes with chemotherapy to prevent relapse.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides click-crosslinked hydrogels and methods of use.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure relates to devices and methods for treating wounds wherein an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor is delivered to a wound to promote wound healing. In further aspects, metrifonate can be delivered to the wound by time release from a wound dressing. In further aspects a sequence of wound dressings can be applied to the wound to treat different phases of wound healing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biocompatible adhesive system comprising a) a hydrogel comprising a first polymer network and a second polymer network, wherein the first polymer network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second polymer network comprises ionic crosslinks; b) a high density primary amine polymer; and c) a coupling agent. The present invention also provides methods preparing and using the biocompatible adhesive system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions, methods, and devices for enhancing an endogenous immune response against a cancer. Devices and methods provide therapeutic immunity to subjects against cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and related methods of recapitulating bone marrow stroma using scaffold materials (e.g., a porous alginate hydrogel scaffold) containing one or more cellular differentiation factors, and one or more growth factors. Such methods and compositions promote the formation of an ectopic nodule or site that can improve transplanted cell engraftment and selectively drive the development of lymphocytes and the reconstitution of the adaptive immunity after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods of producing such compositions. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a pathogen infection, methods of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, and methods for treating an antibiotic-resistance bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof. In further embodiments, the invention includes methods of decreasing the level of a pathogen in a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of increasing the surviving rate of a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of reducing the level of pain associated with a pathogen infection, and methods of reducing the level of distress associated with a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof. Novel scaffold compositions and opsonin-bound or lectin-bound pathogen compositions, and uses thereof, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Described herein are tough gel compositions that comprise an interpenetrating networks (IPN) hydrogel. The IPN hydrogel comprises a first polymer network (covalently crosslinked) and a second polymer network (ionically crosslinked), at least one therapeutic agent, and a clay material. The tough gel compositions may further include an adhesive polymer layer attached to the IPN hydrogel. Methods of use of these compositions, such as for extended release drug delivery, are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer compositions for cell and drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are viscoelastic conductive composite. The viscoelastic conductive composite includes a viscoelastic conductive material; and a conductive filler. The viscoelastic conductive material has a viscoelastic property that matches the viscoelastic property of a tissue.

Abstract: Provided are fast relaxing hydrogels that are useful for regulating cell behavior and enhancing tissue regeneration, e.g., bone regeneration.

Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide antigen-presenting cell-mimetic scaffolds (APC-MS) and use of such scaffolds to manipulating T-cells. More specifically, the scaffolds are useful for promoting growth, division, differentiation, expansion, proliferation, activity, viability, exhaustion, anergy, quiescence, apoptosis, or death of T-cells in various settings, e.g., in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. Embodiments described herein further relate to pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such scaffolds. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the scaffolds, compositions, and kits/packages. Also described herein are methods for using the scaffolds, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as cancers, immunodeficiency disorders, and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing tumor-mediated immune evasion and inducing patient-specific immunization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduced and highly oxidized polysaccharides, such as alginates, that are useful for encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents, or lipid based nanoparticles, e.g., liposomes or virosomes, encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents, prior to their delivery into a subject, as well as methods for making and using them.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and related methods of recapitulating bone marrow stroma using scaffold materials (e.g., a porous alginate hydrogel scaffold) containing one or more cellular differentiation factors, and one or more growth factors. Such methods and compositions promote the formation of an ectopic nodule or site that can improve transplanted cell engraftment and selectively drive the development of lymphocytes and the reconstitution of the adaptive immunity after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods of producing such compositions. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a pathogen infection, methods of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, and methods for treating an antibiotic-resistance bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof. In further embodiments, the invention includes methods of decreasing the level of a pathogen in a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of increasing the surviving rate of a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of reducing the level of pain associated with a pathogen infection, and methods of reducing the level of distress associated with a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof. Novel scaffold compositions and opsonin-bound or lectin-bound pathogen compositions, and uses thereof, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Interpenetrating network hydrogels with independently tunable stiffness enhance tissue regeneration and wound healing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for labeling cells using click chemistry reagents. The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide a specific and efficient means of localizing desired agents to a variety of cell types in vivo and in vitro. The compositions and methods disclosed herein can be used to deliver a variety of desired agents to a cell or population of cells to direct cell fate and/or cell differentiation.

Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide antigen-presenting cell-mimetic scaffolds (APC-MS) and use of such scaffolds to manipulating T-cells. More specifically, the scaffolds are useful for promoting growth, division, differentiation, expansion, proliferation, activity, viability, exhaustion, anergy, quiescence, apoptosis, or death of T-cells in various settings, e.g., in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. Embodiments described herein further relate to pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such scaffolds. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the scaffolds, compositions, and kits/packages. Also described herein are methods for using the scaffolds, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as cancers, immunodeficiency disorders, and/or autoimmune disorders.