Abstract: A device for selectively capturing mycobacteria comprises a substrate and a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, wherein the capture polymer layer is covalently linked onto the substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction of a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and wherein the UV exposure time is 30 seconds to 4 minutes at a power density of about 20 to about 25 mW/cm2. A kit can comprise the device. A microfluidic chip comprises at least a portion of at least one channel sidewall coated with a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride. A method for manufacturing the device includes plasma treating a substrate, providing a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and coating the plasma-treated substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction.

Abstract: A device for selectively capturing mycobacteria comprises a substrate and a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, wherein the capture polymer layer is covalently linked onto the substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction of a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and wherein the UV exposure time is 30 seconds to 4 minutes at a power density of about 20 to about 25 mW/cm2. A kit can comprise the device. A microfluidic chip comprises at least a portion of at least one channel sidewall coated with a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride. A method for manufacturing the device includes plasma treating a substrate, providing a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and coating the plasma-treated substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Methods for preparing one or more nanoparticles comprising an amphiphilic block copolymer having a polyelectrolyte complex comprising one or more therapeutic small proteins and a counter ion polymer encapsulated therein and their use for treating peripheral nerve injuries are disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: A scalable method for producing DNA/polycation particles having an optimal, defined particle size with multiple virus assembly plasmids for efficient transfection of viral production cells in suspension cultures. The presently disclosed DNA/polycation particles yield superior and reproducible transfection activity and shelf stability in the suspension form and can be used as an off-the-shelf product. The presently disclosed DNA/polycation particle formulation can potentially simplify and streamline the viral manufacturing process and improve production quality and consistency.

Abstract: Methods for preparing nucleic acid/lipid particles of an optimum particle size for efficient transfection of cells in vitro and in vivo local transfection are provided. The method is based on kinetic control of the nucleic acid/lipid nanoparticle assembly to prepare shelf-stable particles with defined sizes between about 50 nm and 1200 nm. The size-dependent characteristics of the nucleic acid/lipid particle-mediated transfection for the size range between 50 nm and 1200 nm also is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are the optimal composition and size of DNA/polycation particles for efficient transfection of viral production cells in both adherent and suspension cultures. The size-dependent feature of DNA/polycation particle-mediated transfection for particles between 50 nm and 1000 nm also is disclosed. A new scalable method based on kinetic control of DNA/polycation nanoparticle assembly to prepare shelf-stable particles with defined sizes between 50 nm and 1000 nm also is disclosed. The presently disclosed DNA/polycation particles yield superior and reproducible transfection activity and shelf stability and can be used as an off-the-shelf product.

Abstract: Described are methods for embedding one or more therapeutic agents into vascular grafts and other scaffold-based devices, and methods of implanting vascular grafts comprising tubular scaffolds into subjects. The tubular scaffolds comprise hydrogel nanofibers that have internally aligned polymer chains and may contain one or more therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A device for selectively capturing mycobacteria comprises a substrate and a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, wherein the capture polymer layer is covalently linked onto the substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction of a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and wherein the UV exposure time is 30 seconds to 4 minutes at a power density of about 20 to about 25 mW/cm2. A kit can comprise the device. A microfluidic chip comprises at least a portion of at least one channel sidewall coated with a capture polymer layer of poly-diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride. A method for manufacturing the device includes plasma treating a substrate, providing a solution comprising diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and a photoinitiator in water purged of dissolved oxygen, and coating the plasma-treated substrate via a UV-initiated polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Nanoparticles or microgels comprising a polyelectrolyte nanocomplex comprising one or more neuromodulators, a carrier molecule, and a counter ion polymer, wherein the counter ion polymer has a charge enabling it to bind electrostatically to the one or more neuromodulators, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating a disease or condition are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.

Abstract: Biodegradable nanofiber conical conduits for nerve repair and methods of using same are disclosed. The biodegradable nanofiber conical conduits for nerve repair and methods provide a saturable conduit having a conical shape/geometry including a larger proximal aperture and smaller distal aperture to mechanically guide the regenerating axons across the mismatched repair and thereby prevent axonal escape and neuroma formation. The biodegradable nanofiber conical conduits for nerve repair may include, but are not limited to, a conical conduit that tapers substantially linearly; a conical conduit including a conical concave shape, a conical conduit including a conical convex shape, a conical conduit including proximal and/or distal extensions, a conical conduit including an arrangement of lateral or radial ridges for crimping action, and a conical conduit filled with hydrogel for inhibiting excessive axonal growth.

Abstract: The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for an in situ forming nanofiber-hydrogel composite, which is formed using non-covalent binding schemes between the fiber surface and hydrogel-forming polymers. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying the said composite material to a soft tissue defect.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating hydrogel microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from aqueous polymer solutions. Such hydrogel microfibers can be generated from a variety of water-soluble natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed hydrogel fibers provides improved mechanical properties to hydrogel microfibers, and contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the hydrogel microfibers.

Abstract: A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.

Abstract: A composite material can include a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for healing a soft tissue defect can include applying a composite material to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a composite material for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel and disposing nanofibers within the gel.