Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a polymer comprising: a plurality of repeating units, each repeating unit comprising a polymer backbone group directly or indirectly covalently linked to one or two side chain moieties; wherein: each polymer backbone group is independently a ROMP-polymerized monomer; each one of the one or two side chain moieties independently comprises a peptide moiety or a non-peptide therapeutic moiety; wherein the polymer comprises a plurality of peptide moieties; each polymer backbone group is covalently attached to at least one other polymer backbone group; 100% of the ROMP-polymerized monomers are each individually attached to the one or two side chain moieties; and at least one side chain moiety of the polymer comprises a non-peptide therapeutic moiety, one polymer-terminating group comprises a non-peptide therapeutic moiety, and/or each of both polymer-terminating groups comprises a non-peptide therapeutic moiety.

Abstract: Included herein are methods and materials for nontoxic, biocompatible, optionally metal-free, tunable, and long-lasting coloration of human hair. More particularly, provided herein are methods, and associated formulations, for efficient formation and deposition of synthetic melanin to human hair, thereby coloration of hair, whereby the hair treatment formulation is viscous enough for treatment of hair without substantially loss of the formulation which further allows an easier application process that includes exposing the hair to the treatment formulation for an extended amount of time. For example, the hair treatment formulation, or viscous solution, can be applied and left on the hair, such as if it were a cream or gel, without requiring soaking the hair in a bath. Different colors can be achieved by tuning reaction conditions such as temperature and solution phase composition.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention provides compositions comprising brush block copolymers incorporating a combination of targeting agents and therapeutic agents. Compositions of the invention comprising brush block copolymers include high-density brush polymers for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. In an embodiment, brush block copolymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of using compositions comprising brush block copolymers.

Abstract: In an aspect, an artificial selenomelanin material comprises: one or more selenomelanin polymers; wherein the one or more selenomelanin polymers comprise a plurality of covalently bonded selenomelanin base units; and wherein a chemical formula of each of the one or more selenomelanin base units comprises at least one selenium atom. Optionally, each selenomelanin polymer is a pheomelanin. Preferably, the chemical formula of each of the one or more selenomelanin base units comprises at least one covalent bond with each of the at least one selenium atom.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a method for synthesizing a peptide brush polymer, the method comprising: exposing a mixture comprising peptide-containing monomers, one or more photoinitiators, and one or more chain transfer agents to a light sufficient to induce photopolymerization, and photopolymerizing the peptide-containing monomers in the mixture; wherein: the resulting peptide brush polymer comprises at least one peptide-containing polymer block; the at least one peptide-containing polymer block is characterized by a degree of polymerization of at least 10 and a peptide graft density of 50% to 100%; and at least one peptide moiety of the at least one peptide-containing polymer block has 5 or more amino acid groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein-like polymers and uses thereof. The protein-like polymers generally comprise a polymer of formula (FX1). The polymer of formula (FX1) in some aspects comprises a peptide that (i) inhibits aggregation of, (ii) accelerates aggregation of, (iii) binds to, and/or (iv) mimics: (a) at least a portion of Tau protein, and/or (b) at least a portion of microtubulin protein.

Abstract: In an aspect, an artificial selenomelanin material comprises: one or more selenomelanin polymers; wherein the one or more selenomelanin polymers comprise a plurality of covalently bonded selenomelanin base units; and wherein a chemical formula of each of the one or more selenomelanin base units comprises at least one selenium atom. Optionally, each selenomelanin polymer is a pheomelanin. Preferably, the chemical formula of each of the one or more selenomelanin base units comprises at least one covalent bond with each of the at least one selenium atom.

Abstract: Included herein are methods and materials for nontoxic, biocompatible, optionally metal-free, tunable, and long-lasting coloration of human hair. More particularly, provided herein are methods, and associated formulations, for efficient formation and deposition of synthetic melanin to human hair, thereby coloration of hair, whereby the hair treatment formulation is viscous enough for treatment of hair without substantially loss of the formulation which further allows an easier application process that includes exposing the hair to the treatment formulation for an extended amount of time. For example, the hair treatment formulation, or viscous solution, can be applied and left on the hair, such as if it were a cream or gel, without requiring soaking the hair in a bath. Different colors can be achieved by tuning reaction conditions such as temperature and solution phase composition.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention provides therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers that address challenges associated with conventional administration of free therapeutic peptides. In an embodiment, for example, the invention provides brush polymers incorporating one or more therapeutic peptides comprising a sequence having 75% or greater sequence identity with an 8 to 12 amino acid fragment of SEQ ID NO: 218 (MDLIDILWRQDIDLGVSREVFDFS). Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers, brush block copolymers, and brush random copolymers. In an embodiment, brush polymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of making and using therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions and associated formulations for hair treatment utilizing artificial melanin precursors and one or more amine compounds. In aspects, the one or more amine compounds facilitate alkaline conditions during the hair treatment, while being more tolerable to the hair, subject, and/or administrator compared to other conventional alkaline agents.

Abstract: Provided, inter alia, are synthetic melanin nanoparticles (MelNPs) useful for protecting keratinocytes from UV-damage and for treating melanin-defective diseases.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein include a material and formulations having the material, the material comprising functionalized artificial melanin nanoparticles, wherein: each functionalized artificial melanin nanoparticle comprises a surface functionalized with a modifier agent via a linker group; wherein the modifier agent comprises the linker group and a functional group attached to the linker group; and wherein the linker group is an amine group. Aspects also include a method of healing skin damage using the disclosed formulations.

Abstract: Provided, inter alia, are synthetic melanin nanoparticles (MelNPs) useful for protecting keratinocytes from UV-damage and for treating melanin-defective diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein-like polymers and uses thereof. The protein-like polymers generally comprise a polymer of formula (FX1). The polymer of formula (FX1) in some aspects comprises a peptide having similarity or homology to a tandem repeat peptide sequence found in a natural protein or natural peptide, and/or the polymer of formula (FX1) in some aspects comprises a peptide comprising at least one catechol residue.

Abstract: Described herein, inter alia, are peptide containing polymers, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein include a method for treatment of a subject, the method comprising: topically administering a melanin formulation having an artificial melanin material (thereby administering artificial melanin material) to (or, to a site of) damaged skin of the subject; wherein the administered artificial melanin material comprises extracellular artificial melanin material at (or, at the site of) the damaged skin; and facilitating skin healing in the wound via at least the extracellular artificial melanin material; wherein the step of facilitating skin healing comprises at least a portion of the extracellular artificial melanin material performing a therapeutic extracellular activity.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a method of capturing target compound(s) using a capture device, the method comprising: exposing the device to an environment comprising the target compound(s); wherein the device comprises: a porous artificial melanin material comprising: one or more melanin oligomers and/or polymers; wherein the melanin oligomers and/or polymers comprise a plurality of covalently-bonded melanin base units; wherein the melanin oligomers and/or polymers are arranged to form an internal structure having a plurality of pores; wherein the porous artificial melanin material is characterized by a pore volume per mass of material greater than or equal to 0.1 cm3/g and wherein at least a portion of said pores have at least one size dimension greater than or equal to 0.5 nm; and capturing the target compound(s) via an interaction between the porous artificial melanin material and the target compound(s).

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention provides therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers that address challenges associated with conventional administration of free therapeutic peptides. In an embodiment, for example, the invention provides brush polymers incorporating one or more therapeutic peptides comprising a sequence having 75% or greater sequence identity of SEQ ID NO: 1 (LDEETGEFL) as side chain moieties. Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers, brush block copolymers, and brush random copolymers. In an embodiment, brush polymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of making and using therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein-like polymers and uses thereof. The protein-like polymers generally comprise a polymer of formula (FX1) or (FX2). The polymer of formula (FX1) or (FX2) in some aspects inhibits the protein-protein interaction between VCP and mutant-type Huntingtin protein.

Abstract: Described herein, inter alia, are peptide containing polymers, and methods of making and using the same.