Abstract: The present invention relates to pH-tunable, highly activatable multicolored fluorescent nanoplatforms and methods of using the nanoplatforms in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, investigating fundamental cell physiological processes such as pH regulation in endocytic vesicles, endosome/lysosome maturation, and effect of pH on receptor cycling and trafficking of subcellular organelles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pH-tunable, highly activatable multicolored fluorescent nanoplatforms and methods of using the nanoplatforms in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, investigating fundamental cell physiological processes such as pH regulation in endocytic vesicles, endosome/lysosome maturation, and effect of pH on receptor cycling and trafficking of subcellular organelles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining whether an individual with cancer is suitable for a treatment with an NQO1 bioactivatable drug, predicting responsiveness of an individual with cancer to a treatment with an NQO1 bioactivatable drug, and treating an individual with cancer with an NQO1 bioactivatable drug composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises wherein R? is —H or —CH3, wherein R is —NR1R2, wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, wherein R1 and R2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R1 and R2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The therapies described herein can be selectively lethal toward a variety of different cancer cell types and cancer conditions in a subject. The combination therapies described herein can be useful for the management, treatment, control, or adjunct treatment of diseases, where the selective lethality is beneficial in chemotherapeutic therapy, particularly where the disease is accompanied by elevated levels of NQO1.

Abstract: The invention relates to micelles that are elaborated with functionality useful for imaging and/or selectively targeting tissue, e.g., in the delivery of hydrophobic agents.

Abstract: Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises wherein R? is —H or —CH3, wherein R is —NR1R2, wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, wherein R1 and R2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R1 and R2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds comprising a polymer conjugated with a pH-sensitive prodrug of beta-lapachone, wherein the compound is capable of forming a micelle, and wherein the pH-sensitive prodrug comprises a pH-sensitive linker selected from the group consisting of: an aryl imine and an aliphatic imine. Also provided are micelles comprised of such polymer-prodrug conjugates. Further provided are methods for treating cancer with the micelles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a template, an optoelectronic device and methods for making the same. The optoelectronic device includes a first substrate; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate; a first interdigitating, nano-structured charge-transfer molded material (e.g., a polymer) with a first electron affinity disposed on the first electrode; a second interdigitating, nano-structured charge-transfer material (e.g., single molecules, quantum dots, or particles) with a second electron affinity disposed on the first interdigitating, nano-structured charge-transfer material; a second electrode disposed in the second interdigitating, nano-structured charge-transfer material; and a second substrate disposed on the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, methods and pharmaceutical compositions formed by template-directed polymer molding by contacting a porous template with one or more layers of polymeric material coated on a release layer coated on a substrate, applying pressure to the porous template, the substrates or both and separating the porous template from the polymer material to form one or more polymer nonspherical nanostructures with one or more layers on the substrate. The template includes one or more nonspherical nanostructure features. The size and shape of the one or more single- or multi-layer polymeric nonspherical nanostructures are controlled by the one or more nonspherical nanostructure features and the polymer material optionally including one or more active agents with or without retardants, dyes, etc.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, methods and methods for using MRI contrast agent that include a generally nanotubular carrier and an MRI contrast agent disposed within the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to micelles that are elaborated with functionality useful for imaging and/or selectively targeting tissue, e.g., in the delivery of hydrophobic agents.

Abstract: In part, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a polymer, such as a biocompatible and optionally biodegradable polymer, methods for treatment using the subject polymer compositions, and methods of making and using the same. In another part, the present invention includes inclusion complexes of a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a cyclodextrin, preferably a ?-cyclodextrin, such as hydroxypropyl ?-cyclodextrin, e.g., to improve the solubility of the lapachone or prodrug thereof.

Abstract: In part, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a polymer, such as a biocompatible and optionally biodegradable polymer, methods for treatment using the subject polymer compositions, and methods of making and using the same. In another part, the present invention includes inclusion complexes of a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a cyclodextrin, preferably a ?-cyclodextrin, such as hydroxypropyl ?-cyclodextrin, e.g., to improve the solubility of the lapachone or prodrug thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoshells. In certain embodiments, the polymeric nanoshells comprise one or more polymeric shells around a hollow core. In other embodiments, the present invention provides nanoshells useful for the delivery of agents such as, for example, various diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: In part, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a polymer, such as a biocompatible and optionally biodegradable polymer, methods for treatment using the subject polymer compositions, and methods of making and using the same. In another part, the present invention includes inclusion complexes of a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a cyclodextrin, preferably a &bgr;-cyclodextrin, such as hydroxypropyl &bgr;-cyclodextrin, e.g., to improve the solubility of the lapachone or prodrug thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery devices that provide sustained release of a therapeutic agent upon implantation into a patient. In certain embodiments, the devices provide an initial burst release of an agent, followed by sustained release of that agent, or of a different agent. The devices comprise a central core surrounded at least one membrane or coating.

Abstract: Improved methods for the production of tissue-engineered constructs, including muscular tissue constructs such as vascular constructs, are disclosed. The methods include the use of improved substrates for cell growth, improved cell culture media for cell growth, and the use of distensible bodies to impart pulsatile stretching force to lumens of constructs during growth. Also disclosed are improved products and methods for making those products, including substrates and cell culture media, for tissue engineering and tissue culture generally. Improved muscular tissue constructs, including vascular constructs, are also disclosed, which may be used in medicine for the repair or replacement of damaged natural structures. In an embodiment, a muscular, tubular tissue-engineered construct is prepared having a wall of mammalian smooth muscle cells oriented circumferentially about a lumen of the construct at a cell density of at least 107 cells/cc.