Abstract: Cyclic peptide pro-gelator compositions, and methods of therapeutic use, which assemble into macromolecular hydrogel when administered through cleavage by endogenous enzymes upregulated at a site of tissue injury, such as a myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Molecular computer techniques for solving a computational problem using an array of reaction sites, for example, droplets, are disclosed. The problem may be represented as a Hamiltonian in terms of problem variables and problem parameters. The reaction sites may have a physicochemical property mapping to discrete site states corresponding to possible values of the problem variables. In a purely molecular approach, the reaction sites have intra-site and inter-site couplings enforced thereon representing the problem parameters, and the array is allowed to evolve, subjected to the enforced couplings, to a final configuration conveying a solution to the problem. In a hybrid classical-molecular approach, an iterative procedure may be performed that involves feeding read-out site states into a digital computer, determining, based on the problem parameters, perturbations to be applied to the states, and allowing the array to evolve under the perturbations to a final configuration conveying a solution to the problem.

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: In an aspect, a plurality of artificial melanin nanoparticles are provided, wherein: each melanin nanoparticle of the plurality of artificial melanin nanoparticles comprises a plurality of melanin oligomers; each melanin oligomer comprises a plurality of covalently-bonded melanin base units; and each melanin base unit comprises substituted or unsubstituted naphthalene. In an aspect, porous artificial melanin materials and methods of synthesizing porous artificial melanin materials are provided.

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 as side chain moieties. Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers and brush block 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: The present disclosure provides methods of using prodrugs of small-molecule cytotoxins for the treatment of cancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a tumor comprising cells that overexpress fatty acid uptake proteins, such as cells that overexpress fatty acid translocase CD36. In some other aspects, the disclosure provides compositions suitable for use in such methods. In some further aspects, the disclosure provides combination therapies that may be suitable used in combination with the use of small-molecule prodrugs disclosed herein.

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

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

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

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides anthracycline compounds that are chemically modified to have one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions that include such modified amrubicin compounds and a protein, such as albumin or albumin mimetics. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides platinum compounds that are chemically modified to have one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions that include such modified platinum compounds and a protein, such as albumin or albumin mimetics. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

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

Abstract: Cyclic peptide pro-gelator compositions, and methods of therapeutic use, which assemble into macromolecular hydrogel when administered through cleavage by endogenous enzymes upregulated at a site of tissue injury, such as a myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) that are chemically modified to have one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions that include such modified HDIs and a protein, such as albumin or albumin mimetics. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides nucleotide-based compounds useful for treating various diseases, including cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides oligonucleotides that are chemically modified to include an engineered fatty-acid residue, for example, to assist with improving the half-life of such compounds or assisting with cell penetration (e.g., penetration into tumor cells). In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions that include such modified nucleotides and a protein, such as albumin or mimetics thereof. The disclosure provides various uses of the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.