Abstract: Disclosed methods include formulating azobenzene-based polymer networks to induce a modulus change in a highly crosslinked polymer, in vivo, with no external heat requirement and using a benign light as the source of stimuli. A modulus change can be achieved via a coating on the substrate and within the bulk of the substrate via photoexposure. The azobenzene-based polymer network can be formed as a coating or in the bulk of a material from either a glassy composition comprising methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) or a soft material comprising of long-chain difunctional acrylates. The disclosed technology also includes methods of biofilm disruption and removal from the surface of a substrate, and includes methods of inhibiting biofilm growth and cell attachment to a substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include formulating azobenzene-based polymer networks to induce a modulus change in a highly crosslinked polymer, in vivo, with no external heat requirement and using a benign light as the source of stimuli. A modulus change can be achieved via a coating on the substrate and within the bulk of the substrate via photoexposure. The azobenzene-based polymer network can be formed as a coating or in the bulk of a material from either a glassy composition comprising methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) or a soft material comprising of long-chain difunctional acrylates. The disclosed technology also includes methods of biofilm disruption and removal from the surface of a substrate, and includes methods of inhibiting biofilm growth and cell attachment to a substrate.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment and prevention of symptoms and disease conditions associated with oxidative and carbonyl stress, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and to methods using the compositions. In particular, the invention relates to compositions useful in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, to compositions useful in the treatment of other retinal disorders including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting, reducing, and/or treating pathological apoptosis and/or protein aggregation in a subject includes administering to the subject an amount of a therapeutic polypeptide effective to inhibit, reduce, and/or treat the pathological apoptosis and/or protein aggregation. The therapeutic polypeptide including at least one of acetylated ?A-crystallin, acetylated ?B-crystallin, acetylated fragments thereof having molecular chaperone activity, and/or polypeptide mimetics thereof that can inhibit pathological protein aggregation and/or pathological apoptosis.