Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to proteins. The synthetic polymers are an improvement over biological agents by providing a simpler, less expensive, and customizable platform for binding to proteins. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating diseases and disorders related to the overexpression of VEGF. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating cancer. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting VEGF levels from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting overexpression of VEGF from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are used to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to proteins. The synthetic polymers are an improvement over biological agents by providing a simpler, less expensive, and customizable platform for binding to proteins. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating diseases and disorders related to the overexpression of VEGF. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating cancer. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting VEGF levels from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting overexpression of VEGF from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are used to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: For applications in drug delivery, “smart” materials have been designed to respond to conditions within microenvironments of tissues or cells. The present invention features stimuli-responsive cross-linked hydrogels that respond to specific metabolites of disease. For example, protein-polymer materials of the present invention are configured to release their drug cargo upon encountering the higher lactate concentrations within tumor microenvironments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to proteins. The synthetic polymers are an improvement over biological agents by providing a simpler, less expensive, and customizable platform for binding to proteins. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating diseases and disorders related to the overexpression of VEGF. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating cancer. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting VEGF levels from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting overexpression of VEGF from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are used to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: For applications in drug delivery, “smart” materials have been designed to respond to conditions within microenvironments of tissues or cells. The present invention features stimuli-responsive cross-linked hydrogels that respond to specific metabolites of disease. For example, protein-polymer materials of the present invention are configured to release their drug cargo upon encountering the higher lactate concentrations within tumor microenvironments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with affinity and specificity to peptide toxins, enzymes, signaling proteins and other large biomacromolecules. The synthetic polymer NPs are an improvement over the current art due to insusceptibility to phospholipase attack, a mechanism common to many venoms. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymer NPs with affinity and specificity to three finger toxins (3FTX) and phospholipase A2. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods are useful for delaying or preventing tissue necrosis due to envenomation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to proteins. The synthetic polymers are an improvement over biological agents by providing a simpler, less expensive, and customizable platform for binding to proteins. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymers with affinity and specificity to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating diseases and disorders related to the overexpression of VEGF. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for treating cancer. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting VEGF levels from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are useful for detecting overexpression of VEGF from biological samples. In one embodiment, the compositions are used to diagnose cancer.

Abstract: A method for multiplex characterization of individual particles by their size, shape, mechanical properties (deformability), and chemical affinity to recognition agents. The analysis can be performed from concentrated solutions. The method detects transient sticking of particles in the pore and points to its location along a pore axis. If a pore is decorated with a recognition agent for an analyte present in a solution, it is possible to distinguish specific binding at the place of the recognition agent, and non-specific adsorption of the analyte. The method confirms whether any individual particle or hydrogel completely translocates the pore and allows unambiguous detection and characterization of multiple particles or hydrogels in the pore, which would previously corrupt the results, so that higher analyte concentrations can be used for faster analysis.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly, energy efficient methods for making hydrocarbons, including oxygen containing hydrocarbons, linear or branched polymers, oligomers, waxes, small hydrocarbon molecules, fuels, coatings and starting materials/reactants to be used for making other hydrocarbons. A C1 carbon source, such as coal, natural gas, petroleum or biomass (including non-food biomass), is converted to the desired hydrocarbon. The reaction can be run in water, at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the method comprises combining a) a C1 carbon source; b) water; c) an alkaline agent; and d) an alkyl Lewis acid in an amount effective to initiate or catalyze reaction of the components to form the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imprinted polymer nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides imprinted polymer nanoparticles polymerized in the presence of a target molecule (e.g., peptide), wherein the imprinted polymer nanoparticles comprise vinyl, acryl, and/or methacryl monomers, wherein the monomers have affinity for the target molecule. The present invention also relates to methods of using imprinted polymer nanoparticles in biomacromolecular purification methods (e.g., to purify monoclonal antibodies or hormones), in toxin elimination methods (e.g., hemoperfusion), in diagnostics, in research, as well as in therapeutic methods (e.g., therapeutic methods where antisera or monoclonal antibodies are normally employed).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for synthesis of organic-silica hybrid microparticles and nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for particle size control during synthesis of organic-silica hybrid microparticles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for multiplex characterization of individual particles by their size, shape, mechanical properties (deformability), and chemical affinity to recognition agents. The analysis can be performed from concentrated solutions. The method detects transient sticking of particles in the pore and points to its location along a pore axis. If a pore is decorated with a recognition agent for an analyte present in a solution, it is possible to distinguish specific binding at the place of the recognition agent, and non-specific adsorption of the analyte. The method confirms whether any individual particle or hydrogel completely translocates the pore and allows unambiguous detection and characterization of multiple particles or hydrogels in the pore, which would previously corrupt the results, so that higher analyte concentrations can be used for faster analysis.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly, energy efficient methods for making hydrocarbons, including oxygen containing hydrocarbons, linear or branched polymers, oligomers, waxes, small hydrocarbon molecules, fuels, coatings and starting materials/reactants to be used for making other hydrocarbons. A C1 carbon source, such as coal, natural gas, petroleum or biomass (including non-food biomass), is converted to the desired hydrocarbon. The reaction can be run in water, at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the method comprises combining a) a C1 carbon source; b) water; c) an alkaline agent; and d) an alkyl Lewis acid in an amount effective to initiate or catalyze reaction of the components to form the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for synthesis of organic-silica hybrid microparticles and nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for particle size control during synthesis of organic-silica hybrid microparticles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imprinted polymer nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides imprinted polymer nanopaticles polymerized in the presence of a target molecule (e.g., peptide), wherein the imprinted polymer nanoparticles comprise vinyl, acryl, and/or methacryl monomers, wherein the monomers have affinity for the target molecule. The present invention also relates to methods of using imprinted polymer nanoparticles in biomoacromolecular purification methods (e.g., to purify monoclonal antibodies or hormones), in toxin elimination methods (e.g., hemoperfusion), in diagnostics, in research, as well as in therapeutic methods (e.g., therapeutic methods where antisera or monoclonal antibodies are normally employed).

Abstract: The invention discloses and claims a new class of chemical compositions with ideal sunscreen properties. The chemical composition comprises spherical particles between 200 nm and 10 microns in diameter prepared by an emulsion polymerization of tetraalkoxysilanes or organotrialkoxysilanes or organobridged trialkoxysilanes with a dye monomer bearing two or more alkoxysilyl groups attached to the bridging chromophore. The resulting spheres absorb ultraviolet light. The dye can be any organic chromophore capable of receiving multiple trialkoxysilyl groups resulting in multipoint covalent attachment that precludes leaching of the dye from the spheres. The formic acid-toluene-monomer emulsion polymerization allows for large-scale (>100 gram) synthesis of monodisperse particles under acidic, non-aqueous conditions without surfactants. The particles less than 1 micron in diameter are smooth as talc to the touch and will provide a smooth formulation for sunscreen creams or lotions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hybrid organic-inorganic adsorbents for decontamination of fluids. Bridged poysilsesquioxanes are a family of hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared by sol-gel processing of monomers that contain a variable organic bridging group and two or more trifunctional silyl groups. Specifically, the present invention relates to dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane compositions, methods of making dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes, and methods of use of dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes. The present invention discloses properties of dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes that include high ligand loading, increased surface area, and increased porosity. These properties make dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes excellent adsorbents for decontamination of fluids for use in environmental and industrial processes.

Abstract: Small molecule analogues of 1-aminoadamantane and methods for using such compositions to induce CD81-dependent antiproliferative effects and/or for the treatment of disorders of human or veterinary patients and/or for the manufacture of therapeutic preparations used to treat such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hybrid organic-inorganic adsorbents for decontamination of fluids. Bridged poysilsesquioxanes are a family of hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared by sol-gel processing of monomers that contain a variable organic bridging group and two or more trifunctional silyl groups. Specifically, the present invention relates to dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane compositions, methods of making dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes, and methods of use of dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes. The present invention discloses properties of dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes that include high ligand loading, increased surface area, and increased porosity. These properties make dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes excellent adsorbents for decontamination of fluids for use in environmental and industrial processes.

Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) wherein the template comprises either a) a peptide or amino acid sequence that has an N-terminal histidine residue or b) histamine. The MIP's may be prepared in aqueous systems using reagents that are water soluble at the relevant concentrations. Also, the invention includes methods for using the MIP's as receptors or adsorbents for, or to determine the present or non-presence of, target molecules containing i) particular peptides or amino acid sequences having N-terminal histidine residue or ii) histamine.