Abstract: Compositions containing purified nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid acts as an antioxidant. Such compositions also include materials subject to oxidative damage such as antioxidants, vitamins, lipids, foods and pharmaceuticals. The invention also includes methods for preparing such compositions. These methods include dissolving the nucleic acid and a hydrophilic material in an aqueous solution, which may later be dried or further processed. Additionally, nucleic acid may be coupled with a molecule having hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions and then solubilized in a hydrophobic material. It may also be shaped into small aggregates and added to a hydrophobic material.

Abstract: An implantable infection shield and system for drug delivery in vascular tissue includes a relatively non-biodegradable porous linked fibrous biomaterial which controls and directs cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue into the implant. Infection shield embodiments stimulate cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue which effectively blocks passage of pathogenic microorganisms along percutaneously implanted objects. In embodiments for drug delivery, a reservoir of the same biomaterial may contain either (1) a cell culture system enclosed within a porous sealable interior chamber or (2) a biodegradable matrix in which one or more drugs are dispersed. After implantation of a reservoir of the first embodiment in an organism, cultured cells obtain food and oxygen via diffusion in tissue fluid through the porous walls of the interior chamber, while metabolic products, including drugs, diffuse away from the cell culture in an analogous manner.

Abstract: A novel metal/ceramic hybrid material in which the void space of the ceramic is filled with metal. The metal may be bonded to the ceramic, for example by formation of a metal oxide. The metal may be introduced into the ceramic as small particles in a suspension then heated to melt the metal, allowing bonding to the ceramic or better filling of the void space. The hybrid material may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Surfaces containing high purity silica (silicon dioxide) exhibit high loading potential for nucleic acids. Formulations containing nucleic acids and materials which mask the electrostatic interactions between the nucleic acids and surfaces are disclosed. By masking the phosphate charges of the nucleic acids, undesired interactions may be minimized or eliminated, thereby allowing the covalent bonding of the nucleic acids to the surface to proceed. The use of such formulations additionally minimizes nonspecific binding of the nucleic acids to the surface. Examples of materials to be included in such formulations include cations, xanthines, hexoses, purines, arginine, lysine, polyarginine, polylysine, and quaternary ammonium salts.

Abstract: A method of using modified xanthine molecules as a binding agent is disclosed. Xanthine molecules with at least one substitution of a methyl group at the N1, N3, N7, or N9 position bind to intercalating molecules efficiently. This method can be applied to inhibiting intercalating molecules from binding to nucleic acids, as well as removing intercalating molecules that have been bound to nucleic acids. This method can also be applied to synthesize an efficient drug delivery system for compounds that have low solubility in aqueous media, including anti-neoplastic agents. The method can also be applied to flurosecently labeling nucleic acids.

Abstract: Compositions containing purified nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid acts as an antioxidant. Such compositions also include materials subject to oxidative damage such as antioxidants, vitamins, lipids, foods and pharmaceuticals. The invention also includes methods for preparing such compositions. These methods include dissolving the nucleic acid and a hydrophilic material in an aqueous solution, which may later be dried or further processed. Additionally, nucleic acid may be coupled with a molecule having hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions and then solubilized in a hydrophobic material. It may also be shaped into small aggregates and added to a hydrophobic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter for removing carcinogens from a gas or liquid. The filter contains nucleic acids, for example DNA or apurinic acid, with which the carcinogens may react. In specific embodiments the filters are used for tobacco smoke or industrial pollutants.

Abstract: A novel metal/ceramic hybrid material in which the void space of the ceramic is filled with metal. The metal may be bonded to the ceramic, for example by formation of a metal oxide. The metal may be introduced into the ceramic as small particles in a suspension then heated to melt the metal, allowing bonding to the ceramic or better filling of the void space. The hybrid material may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Polymers that are biocompatible are useful for various medical purposes such as tissue repair, reconstruction and wound healing. A method and composition for producing a biocompatible polymer formed from nucleic acids is disclosed. The nucleic acid polymer may be used to form a hybrid with an existing polymer to create a copolymer. The nucleic acids may be also be selected to encode particular proteins which may then be expressed in a biological tissue.