Abstract: Mimetic peptides having anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties and methods of their use for treating cancer, ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, and other-angiogenesis-dependent diseases are disclosed. More particularly, an isolated peptide comprising the amino acid sequence LRRFSTAPFAFIDINDVINF, which exhibits anti-angiogenic activity in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation assays, anti-migratory activity in human breast cancer cells in vitro, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic activity in vivo in breast cancer xenograft models, and age-related macular degeneration models is disclosed. The isolate peptide also exhibits anti-lymphangiogenic and directly anti-tumorigenic properties.

Abstract: A layer-by-layer (LbL) system, which alternately ionically complexes anionic AuNPs to two unique cationic polymers (disulfide-reducible and hydrolytically degradable) and two anionic nucleic acids, is disclosed.

Abstract: Mimetic peptides having anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties and methods of their use for treating cancer, ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, and other-angiogenesis-dependent diseases are disclosed. More particularly, an isolated peptide comprising the amino acid sequence LRRFSTAPFAFIDINDVINF, which exhibits anti-angiogenic activity in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation assays, anti-migratory activity in human breast cancer cells in vitro, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic activity in vivo in breast cancer xenograft models, and age-related macular degeneration models is disclosed. The isolate peptide also exhibits anti-lymphangiogenic and directly anti-tumorigenic properties.

Abstract: Degradable polymers were synthesized that self-assemble with nucleic acids, proteins, hydrophobic drugs, and other small molecules to form particles that are effective for delivery into a cell, tissue and/or organism either in vitro or in vivo. The presently disclosed polymers demonstrate differential cell-type specificity, an ability to promote endosomal escape to protect the cargos from degradation and enhance delivery to the cytoplasm, and/or bioreducibility, which enables triggered intracellular drug release to be tuned to promote optimal delivery to the target cell type. The presently disclosed materials may be used to treat a wide variety of conditions or diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and ophthalmic diseases.

Abstract: A layer-by-layer (LbL) system, which alternately ionically complexes anionic AuNPs to two unique cationic polymers (disuifide-reducible and hydrolytically degradable) and two anionic nucleic acids, is disclosed.

Abstract: Degradable polymers were synthesized that self-assemble with DNA to form particles that are effective for gene delivery. Small changes to polymer synthesis conditions, particle formulation conditions, and polymer structure provides significant changes to efficacy in a cell-type dependent manner. Polymers presented here are more effective than commercially available materials, such as LIPOFECTAMINE 2000™, FUGENE®, or polyethylenimine (PEI), for gene delivery to cancerous fibroblasts or human primary fibroblasts. The presently disclosed materials may be useful for cancer therapeutics and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Degradable polymers were synthesized that self-assemble with DNA to form particles that are effective for gene delivery. Small changes to polymer synthesis conditions, particle formulation conditions, and polymer structure provides significant changes to efficacy in a cell-type dependent manner. Polymers presented here are more effective than commercially available materials, such as LIPOFECTAMINE 2000™, FUGENE®, or polyethylenimine (PEI), for gene delivery to cancerous fibroblasts or human primary fibroblasts. The presently disclosed materials may be useful for cancer therapeutics and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising asymmetrical artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) are disclosed. The non-spherical aAPCs more closely mimic endogenous cell-cell interactions and can be used for antigen-specific immunotherapy.

Abstract: A layer-by-layer (LbL) system, which alternately ionically complexes anionic AuNPs to two unique cationic polymers (disulfide-reducible and hydrolytically degradable) and two anionic nucleic acids, is disclosed.

Abstract: Degradable polymers were synthesized that self-assemble with DNA to form particles that are effective for gene delivery. Small changes to polymer synthesis conditions, particle formulation conditions, and polymer structure provides significant changes to efficacy in a cell-type dependent manner. Polymers presented here are more effective than commercially available materials, such as LIPOFECTAMINE 2000™, FUGENE®, or polyethylenimine (PEI), for gene delivery to cancerous fibroblasts or human primary fibroblasts. The presently disclosed materials may be useful for cancer therapeutics and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: A system for electrostatically coating particles is provided. The system is particularly well suited for coating charged drug delivery particles (e.g., nanoparticles, microparticles) with a coating of opposite charge. The coating may include a targeting moiety such as a small molecule ligand, peptide, protein, aptamer, etc. The coated particles are biodegradable and/or biocompatible, have a near neutral zeta (?) potential, and are stable in serum. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits including the inventive coated particles. Methods of preparing and using the inventive particles are also included.