Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for selecting in parallel (i.e., synchronously or simultaneously) peptides that target a number of organs, in which each peptide targets distinct tissues or organs. Typically, the methods of the invention provide for peptide selection in a Minimal number of subjects and still provides a selectively binding peptide. In certain aspects, methods of identifying peptides that bind to multiple selected tissues or organs of an organism may comprise the steps of administering a phage display library to a first subject; obtaining a sample of two or more selected tissues; obtaining phage displaying peptides that bind to the samples from the first subject; enriching for peptides by administering phage isolated from the samples of the first subject to a second subject; obtaining a sample of two or more selected tissues from the second subject; and identifying the peptides displayed.

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 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: The present invention concerns novel methods of identifying peptide sequences that selectively bind to targets. In alternative embodiments, targets may comprise cells or clumps of cells, particles attached to chemicals compounds, molecules or aggregates, or parasites. In preferred embodiments, target cells are sorted before exposure to the phage library. The general method, Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands (BRASIL) provides for rapid and efficient separation of phage that bind to targets, while preserving unbound phage. BRASIL may be used in preselection procedure to subtract phage that bind non-specifically to a first target before exposing the subtracted library to a second target. Certain embodiments concern targeting peptides identified by BRASIL and methods of use of such peptides for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents or imaging agents or diagnosis or treatment of diseases.

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 provides methods for in vivo panning of a library to identify molecules that specifically home to a selected organ.

Abstract: The compositions and methods include targeting peptides selective for tissue selective binding, particularly prostate and/or bone cancer, or adipose tissue. The methods may comprise targeting peptides that bind, for example, cell surface GRP78, IL-11R? in blood vessels of bone, or prohibitin of adipose vascular tissue. These peptides may be used to induce targeted apoptosis in the presence or absence of at least one pro-apoptotic peptide. Antibodies against such targeting peptides, the targeting peptides, or their mimeotopes may be used for detection, diagnosis and/or staging of a condition, such as prostate cancer or metastatic prostate cancer.

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: 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 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 provides methods for in vivo panning of a library to identify molecules that specifically home to a selected organ.

Abstract: The compositions and methods include targeting peptides selective for tissue selective binding, particularly prostate and/or bone cancer, or adipose tissue. The methods may comprise targeting peptides that bind, for example, cell surface GRP78, IL-11R? in blood vessels of bone, or prohibitin of adipose vascular tissue. These peptides may be used to induce targeted apoptosis in the presence or absence of at least one pro-apoptotic peptide. Antibodies against such targeting peptides, the targeting peptides, or their mimeotopes may be used for detection, diagnosis and/or staging of a condition, such as prostate cancer or metastatic prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods of identifying peptide sequences that selectively bind to fungal surface molecules. The general method, Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands (BRASIL) provides for rapid and efficient separation of phage that bind to fungal surface molecules. BRASIL may be used in a pre-selection procedure to subtract phage that bind non-specifically to a first target, before exposing the subtracted library to a second target. Certain embodiments concern peptides identified by BRASIL against fungal surface components and methods of use of such peptides for delivery of therapeutic agents or imaging agents or diagnosis or treatment of fungal pathogenesis such as Invasive Aspergillus (IA). Novel compositions and treatments for IA as well as other fungal infection in immunocompromised patients are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules that selectively home to various normal organs or tissues, including to lung, pancreas, skin, retina, prostate, ovary, lymph node, adrenal gland, liver or gut; and provides molecules that selectively home to tumor bearing organs or tissues, including to pancreas bearing a pancreatic tumor or to lung bearing a lung tumor. The invention also provides conjugates, comprising an organ or tissue homing molecule linked to a moiety. Such a moiety can be, for example, a therapeutic agent or a detectable agent. In addition, the invention provides methods of using an organ homing molecule of the invention to identify a particular organ or tissue by contacting the organ or tissue with a molecule of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods of identifying peptide sequences that selectively bind to targets. In alternative embodiments, targets may comprise cells or clumps of cells, particles attached to chemicals compounds, molecules or aggregates, or parasites. In preferred embodiments, target cells are sorted before exposure to the phage library. The general method, Biopanning and Rapid Analysis of Selective Interactive Ligands (BRASIL) provides for rapid and efficient separation of phage that bind to targets, while preserving unbound phage. BRASIL may be used in preselection procedure to subract phage that bind non-specifically to a first target before exposing the subtracted library to a second target. Certain embodiments concern targeting peptides identified by BRASIL and methods of use of such peptides for targeted delivera of therapeutic agents or imaging agents or diagnosis or treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules that selectively home to various normal organs or tissues, including to lung, pancreas, skin, retina, prostate, ovary, lymph node, adrenal gland, liver or gut; and provides molecules that selectively home to tumor bearing organs or tissues, including to pancreas bearing a pancreatic tumor or to lung bearing a lung tumor. The invention also provides conjugates, comprising an organ or tissue homing molecule linked to a moiety. Such a moiety can be, for example, a therapeutic agent or a detectable agent. In addition, the invention provides methods of using an organ homing molecule of the invention to identify a particular organ or tissue by contacting the organ or tissue with a molecule of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for in vivo panning of a library to identify molecules that specifically home to a selected organ.

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.