Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the fields of molecular medicine and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. More specifically, the present invention relates to the identification of novel peptide sequences that incorporate the amino acids Leu-Pro-Arg (LPR), and particularly D(LPR), that selectively target VEGFR-I and NRP-I expressing cells. Targeted molecules in accor-dance with the invention are useful in the treatment and detection of neovascular or angiogenic VEGF associated disorders, including but not limited to cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, cirrhosis and ocular diseases.

Abstract: Provided are MUC 18 targeting peptides which may be used, e.g., to therapeutically target B-I lymphocytes to reduce the influence of these cells on the metastatic potential of melanoma cells and/or to target cancerous cells, including certain melanoma and leukemia cells. MUC 18 targeting peptides may be comprised in fusion constructs, imaging constructs, and/or therapeutic constructs such as fusion constructs which may be used for diagnosing or treating a cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides selective for cancer tissue, particularly prostate or ovarian cancer tissue. The method may comprise identifying endogenous mimeotopes of such peptides, such as GRP78, IL-11R? and hsp90. Antibodies against such targeting peptides or their mimeotopes may be used for detection, diagnosis and/or staging of prostate or ovarian cancer. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods concern a novel type of gene therapy vector, known as adeno-associated phage (AAP). AAP are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to particular tissues, organs or cell types, such as prostate or ovarian cancer. In still other embodiments, targeting peptides selective for low-grade lipomas may be used for detection, diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides for placenta or adipose tissue. In certain embodiments, the targeting peptides comprise part or all of SEQ ID NO:5-11, SEQ ID NO:13-22 or SEQ ID NO:144. The peptides may be attached to various therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Adipose-targeting peptides may be used in methods for weight control, inducing weight loss and treating lipodystrophy syndrome. Adipose-targeting may also be accomplished using other binding moieties selectively targeted to adipose receptors, such as a prohibitin receptor protein complex. Placenta-targeting peptides may be used to interfere with pregnancy, induce labor and/or for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to placenta and/or fetus. In other embodiments, receptors identified by binding to placenta-targeting peptides may be used to screen compounds for potential teratogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods generally useful in medicine, cellular biology, nanotechnology, and cell culturing are discussed. In particular, at least in some embodiments, systems and methods for magnetic guidance and patterning of cells and materials are discussed. Some specific applications of these systems and methods may include levitated culturing of cells away from a surface, making and manipulating patterns of levitated cells, and patterning culturing of cells on a surface. Specifically, a method of culturing cells is presented. The method may comprise providing a plurality of cells, providing a magnetic field, and levitating at least some of the plurality of cells in the magnetic field, wherein the plurality of cells comprise magnetic nanoparticles. The method may also comprise maintaining the levitation for a time sufficient to permit cell growth to form an assembly.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for selectively targeting CRKL through the use of targeting peptides. Selective targeting of secreted CRKL through the use of a targeting peptide may be used, for example, in the treatment of cancer to deliver a chemotherapeutic compound, fusion protein, or fusion construct to a cancer cell or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides for placenta or adipose tissue. In certain embodiments, the targeting peptides comprise part or all of SEQ ID NO:5-11, SEQ ID NO:13-22 or SEQ ID NO:144. The peptides may be attached to various therapeutic agents for targeted delivery. Adipose-targeting peptides may be used in methods for weight control, inducing weight loss and treating lipodystrophy syndrome. Adipose-targeting may also be accomplished using other binding moieties selectively targeted to adipose receptors, such as a prohibitin receptor protein complex. Placenta-targeting peptides may be used to interfere with pregnancy, induce labor and/or for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to placenta and/or fetus. In other embodiments, receptors identified by binding to placenta-targeting peptides may be used to screen compounds for potential teratogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to identification of aminopeptidase A (APA) as a functional target in neo-vasculature, e.g., tumor vasculature; the present invention also relates to targeting peptides and antibodies specific for APA which may be used for cancer therapies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for classifying cells and/or peptides that associate or bind with a particular characteristic pattern to a plurality of cells or cell lines. Aspects of the invention also include the use of peptide(s) having an appropriate binding characteristic to deliver a drug to a cell or cell population.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include additional compositions and related methods and devices for the use of phage-nanoparticle assemblies. Embodiments of the invention include compositions, methods and devices related to phage-nanoparticle assemblies and their use in a variety of methods including detection methods, in vitro and in vivo diagnostic methods, direct and/or indirect therapeutic methods, or combinations thereof. Phage-nanoparticle assemblies of the invention comprise a plurality of nanoparticles complexed with one or more phage particles to form a phage-nanoparticle assembly. In certain aspects, the phage-nanoparticle assembly may also include other agents, including but not limited to organizing agents and/or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to compositions and methods of delivering one or more transgene to a target cell, such as a tumor cell, in a site-specific manner to achieve enhanced expression and to constructs and compositions useful in such applications. In certain aspects, expression from a therapeutic nucleic acid may be assessed prior to administration of a treatment or diagnostic procedure to or on a subject.

Abstract: We have discovered that administering anti-ceramide antibody treats and prevents an array of diseases mediated by cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTLs)-induced killing and by damage to endothelial microvasculture, including radiation-induced GI syndrome, Graft vs. Host diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. We have also discovered new anti-ceramide monoclonal antibodies, that have therapeutic use preferably in humanized form to treat or prevent these diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for classifying cells and/or peptides that associate or bind with a particular characteristic pattern to a plurality of cells or cell lines. Aspects of the invention also include the use of peptide(s) having an appropriate binding characteristic to deliver a drug to a cell or cell population.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides selective for cancer tissue, particularly prostate or ovarian cancer tissue. The method may comprise identifying endogenous mimeotopes of such peptides, such as GRP78, IL-11R? and hsp90. Antibodies against such targeting peptides or their mimeotopes may be used for detection, diagnosis and/or staging of prostate or ovarian cancer. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods concern a novel type of gene therapy vector, known as adeno-associated phage (AAP). AAP are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to particular tissues, organs or cell types, such as prostate or ovarian cancer. In still other embodiments, targeting peptides selective for low-grade lipomas may be used for detection, diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions comprising and methods of identification and use of targeting peptides selective for cancer tissue, particularly prostate or ovarian cancer tissue. The method may comprise identifying endogenous mimeotopes of such peptides, such as GRP78, IL-11R? and hsp90. Antibodies against such targeting peptides or their mimeotopes may be used for detection, diagnosis and/or staging of prostate or ovarian cancer. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods concern novel type of gene therapy vector, known as adeno-associated phage (AAP). AAP are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to particular tissues, organs or cell types, such as prostate or ovarian cancer. In still other embodiments, targeting peptides selective for low-grade lipomas may be used for detection, diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an ?v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an ?v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature by contacting a substantially purified NGR receptor with one or more molecules and determining specific binding of a molecule to the NGR receptor, where the presence of specific binding identifies the molecule as a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to angiogenic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate including a moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor, whereby the moiety is directed to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a method of imaging the angiogenic vasculature of a tumor in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate having a detectable moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor and detecting the conjugate.