Abstract: The disclosure provides a simple and effective way of synthesizing robust organic-inorganic hybrid gels and ultra-thin films using vaporization of a gel precursor. The gels are synthesized at relatively low temperature allowing the activity of the immobilized species to be maintained. The disclosure provides robust, synthetic, selective, active and/or passive transport systems in the form of functional biologically active species and mechanisms for forming them. These systems allow selective and passive or active transport of ionic, molecular and biological species through the incorporation of functional biological molecules and biomolecular assemblies in a rigid matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and drug delivery. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods for the delivery of a siNA (e.g., a siRNA) to a cell to modulate expression of a PFDN 1-6. These methods may be used to treat a disease, such as cancer.

Abstract: We describe methods for synthesis and formulations of stable elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles with controllable compressibility and density. These elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles have a density/compressibility ratio that is less than that of water and therefore exhibit negative acoustic contrast under acoustic radiation exposure. This negative acoustic contrast allows our elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles to be acoustically manipulated (e.g. separated) differently from other components (e.g. cells) within an aqueous solution. This disclosure also describes methods for biofunctionalization of the elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles and as an example their use as platforms for bioassays.

Abstract: We describe methods for synthesis and formulations of stable elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles with controllable compressibility and density. These elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles have a density/compressibility ratio that is less than that of water and therefore exhibit negative acoustic contrast under acoustic radiation exposure. This negative acoustic contrast allows our elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles to be acoustically manipulated (e.g. separated) differently from other components (e.g. cells) within an aqueous solution. This disclosure also describes methods for biofunctionalization of the elastomeric negative acoustic contrast particles and as an example their use as platforms for bioassays.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel methods for forming hybrid thin films that contain multi-lamellar assemblies of phospholipid bilayers and can incorporate proteins, polypeptides, biological complexes, transmembrane proteins and other membrane-associated compounds. The present disclosure further provides uses for such bilayer lipid membranes including, biosensing for medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring, chemical and biological warfare agent sequestration, actuator development, and bio-fuel cell development.

Abstract: Disclosed are high density lipoprotein-nucleic acid particles, wherein the particles include (a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region, wherein the positively-charged region of the polypeptide associates with the nucleic acid component. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region. Methods that concern the particles and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also set forth, as well as kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and drug delivery. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that include an siRNA targeted to an interleukin and a neutral lipid, and methods of treating a human subject with cancer involving administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an interleukin-8 antagonist or a composition as set forth herein.

Abstract: A method of determining individual velocity associated with one or more molecular species moving through a fluid medium involves obtaining multiple temporal images of the one or more species moving through the medium, analyzing the temporal images using multivariate image analysis to obtain temporal profiles of principal components, and determining individual velocity of the one or more species using the temporal profiles. Multiple species can be identified using the one or more individual velocities or ratio thereof.

Abstract: Novel compounds generally referred to herein as cationic oligomeric phenylene ethynylenes (OPEs), methods of synthesizing OPEs and various uses for the OPEs are described. The compounds can be synthesized in both symmetrical (S-OPE) and non-symmetrical (N-OPE) forms. Suitable uses include sensor and biocidal applications. Reusable structures incorporating the OPEs that are able to capture and release biological species of interest are also described.

Abstract: A surface grafted conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) is formed by coupling a CPE by a coupling moiety to the surface of a substrate. The substrate can be of any shape and size, and for many uses of the surface grafted CPE, it is advantageous that the substrate is a nanoparticle or microparticle. Surface grafted CPEs are presented that use silica particles as the substrate, where a modified silane coupling agent connects the surface to the CPE by a series of covalent bonds. Two methods of preparing the surface grafted CPEs are presented. One method involves the inclusion of the surface being modified by the coupling agent and condensed with monomers that form the CPE in a grafted state to the substrate. A second method involves the formation of a CPE with terminal groups that are complimentary to functionality that has been placed on the surface of the substrate by reaction with a coupling agent. The surface grafted CPEs are also described for use as biosensors and biocides.

Abstract: Device and method for detecting the presence of known or unknown toxic agents in a fluid sample. Targets in the sample are bound to releasable receptors immobilized in a reaction region of a micro- or nano-fluidic device. The receptors are selected based on their affinity for classes of known toxic agents. The receptors are freed and the bound and unbound receptors separated based on differential electrokinetic mobilities while they travel to a detection device.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for use in the treatment of cancer, specifically, in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The compositions contain antisense oligonucleotides that hybridize to Grb2 and Crkl nucleic acids, the gene products of which are known to interact with the tumorigenic protein bcr-abl. Used alone, in conjunction with each other, and even in conjunction with antisense oligonucleotides directed to bcr-abl nucleic acids, these compositions inhibit the proliferation of CML cancer cells.

Abstract: A method of interpreting specific dipping surfaces in earth formations, namely, fracture and fault planes from borehole images. The method is applicable to borehole images obtained from any borehole imaging tool, regardless of tool physics or acquisition type. The interpretation method provides for detailed description of feature s in order to provide a robust framework for subsequent interpretation work.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles for the delivery of a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject that include a chitosan and a polyphosphate, wherein the weight ratio of the chitosan to the polyphosphate is about 1.0 or greater and the weight ratio of the polyphosphate to the therapeutic agent or diagnostic agent is about 15.0 or less. Also disclosed are nanoparticles that include a chitosan and an inhibitor of enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2). Methods of delivering a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject for the treatment or prevention of a disease and methods of predicting prognosis of ovarian cancer in a subject that involve determining the expression and/or function of EZH2 in the subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) within microdroplets produced by a vibrating orifice aerosol generator (VOAG) for the production of monodisperse mesoporous silica particles. The process of the present invention exploits the concentration of evaporating droplets to induce the organization of various amphiphilic molecules, effectively partitioning a silica precursor to the hydrophilic regions of the structure. Promotion of silica condensation, followed by removal of the surfactant, provides ordered spherical mesoporous particles.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to design, synthesis, and characterization of materials with well-defined porous networks of molecular dimensions in which the size and surface energy of the pores can be externally and reversibly controlled to dynamically modulate the adsorption and transport of molecular species.

Abstract: An improved delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides involves a liposomal composition, comprising a liposome which consists essentially of neutral phospholipids and an antisense oligonucleotide that is entrapped in the liposome and is selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester oligonucleotides, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, and p-ethoxy oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and drug delivery. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides compositions that include an siRNA targeted to an interleukin and a neutral lipid, and methods of treating a human subject with cancer involving administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an interleukin-8 antagonist or a composition as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides short antisense oligonucleotide compositions and methods for their use in the treatment of Bcl-2-associated diseases like cancer, such as follicular lymphoma (FL). The antisense oligonucleotides contain sequences that hybridize to Bcl-2 nucleic acids, the gene products of which are known to interact with the tumorigenic protein Bcl-2. The use of novel short antisense oligonucleotides, from 7 bases to 9 bases in length, is described in this invention. The invention also describes certain specific sequences which are longer than 9 bases and are 11 or 15 bases long. Used alone, or in conjunction with other antisense oligonucleotides, these antisense oligonucleotide compositions inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells.

Abstract: A website system that allows customers and service providers to enter into secured service agreements, wherein disputes are resolved by the website system without having to resort to the courts, attorneys, or private mediation or arbitration services.