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: 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.