Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to form pores in situ within hydrogels following hydrogel injection. Pores formed in situ via degradation of sacrificial porogens within the surrounding hydrogel facilitate recruitment or release of cells. Disclosed herein is a material that is not initially porous, but which becomes macroporous over time.

Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

Abstract: A composition comprising mesoporous silica rods comprising an immune cell recruitment compound and an immune cell activation compound, and optionally comprising an antigen such as a tumor lysate. The composition is used to elicit an immune response to a vaccine antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods that modulate the immune system in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides injectable compositions comprising cells encapsulated in hydrogel capsules and methods of preparing these compositions. The present invention also provides methods for using these compositions to promote hematopoiesis and to treat or prevent cardiovascular and immunological disorders in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting dental tissue repair and/or regeneration, methods for promoting differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, methods for treating periodontal diseases, and methods for treating infection of a dental pulp in a subject in need thereof by contacting the tissue with a composition comprising a triacrylate capable of promoting dental pulp stem cells adhesion and/or proliferation.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to form pores in situ within hydrogels following hydrogel injection. Pores formed in situ via degradation of sacrificial porogens within the surrounding hydrogel facilitate recruitment or release of cells. Disclosed herein is a material that is not initially porous, but which becomes macroporous over time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting regeneration of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing inflammation of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing fibrosis of a tissue, methods for increasing a mass of a tissue, methods for increasing a level of oxygen available to a tissue, methods for increasing a rate of metabolic waste removal from a tissue, methods for increasing blood perfusion to a tissue, and methods of treating severe muscle tissue damage in a subject in need thereof by contacting the tissue with a composition that is suitable for applying cyclic mechanical compression to the tissue.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biodegradable tough adhesive material comprising an interpenetrating networks (IPN) hydrogel comprising a first polymer network and a second polymer network, wherein the first polymer network comprises a first polymer covalently crosslinked with a biodegradable covalent crosslinker and the second polymer network comprises a second polymer crosslinked with ionic or physical crosslinks; a high density primary amine polymer; and a coupling agent. The present invention also provides methods preparing and using the biodegradable tough adhesive material.

Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

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

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.

Abstract: A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.

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

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

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

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

Abstract: A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated therein or thereon, or diffusing from the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition captures and eliminates undesirable cells from the body a mammalian subject. The devices mediate active recruitment, sequestration, and removal or elimination of undesirable cells from their host.