Abstract: A water-soluble photo-activatable polymer including: a photo-activatable group adapted to be activated by an irradiation source and to form a covalent bond between the water-soluble photo-activatable polymer and a matrix having at least one carbon; a reactive group adapted to covalently react with a biomaterial for subsequent delivery of the biomaterial to a cell; a hydrophilic group; and a polymer precursor. A composition including a monomolecular layer of the water-soluble photo-activatable polymer and a matrix having at least one carbon, wherein the monomolecular layer is covalently attached to the matrix by a covalent bond between the photo-activatable group and the at least one carbon. The composition further includes a biomaterial having a plurality of active groups, wherein the biomaterial is covalently attached to the monomolecular layer by covalent bonding between the active groups and reactive groups. Also provided is a method for delivery of a biomaterial to a cell.

Abstract: A water-soluble photo-activatable polymer including: a photo-activatable group adapted to be activated by an irradiation source and to form a covalent bond between the water-soluble photo-activatable polymer and a matrix having at least one carbon; a reactive group adapted to covalently react with a biomaterial for subsequent delivery of the biomaterial to a cell; a hydrophilic group; and a polymer precursor. A composition including a monomolecular layer of the water-soluble photo-activatable polymer and a matrix having at least one carbon, wherein the monomolecular layer is covalently attached to the matrix by a covalent bond between the photo-activatable group and the at least one carbon. The composition further includes a biomaterial having a plurality of active groups, wherein the biomaterial is covalently attached to the monomolecular layer by covalent bonding between the active groups and reactive groups. Also provided is a method for delivery of a biomaterial to a cell.

Abstract: A therapeutic delivery system efficiently introduces biologically active molecules to mammalian cells without the use of synthetic polymers or biopolymer coatings. Surface modification of a metal support, such as a medical device, results in a single molecular layer that can fasten various molecules, thereby minimizing any cellular inflammatory response while enhancing biocompatibility.

Abstract: A therapeutic system and a method that uses stents, and/or other implantable devices (104) for local delivery of a therapeutic agent is disclosed. A therapeutic formulation (102) may include particles of a biocompatible magnetic or magnetizable material that carry the therapeutic agent, or magnetically responsive cells. The therapeutic formulation (102) is intravenously administered to a mammalian subject. A portion of the formulation (102) is delivered to the proximity of a device (104) implanted in the vascular system of the subject by externally generating a magnetic field gradient (106) on the implantable device (104). The portion of the therapeutic formulation (102) not delivered to the proximity of the implantable device (104) is removed from the vascular system. The method allows for the repeated administration of the same or different therapeutic agent, and further, has the option of locally injecting, or alternatively, peripherally administering, the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic targeting of therapeutic particles are provided. Therapeutic particles comprise one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials and at least one therapeutic agent. Therapeutic particles are specifically targeted using uniform magnetic fields capable of magnetizing magnetizable materials, and can be targeted to particular locations in the body, or can be targeted for capture, containment, and removal. Also provided are bioresorbable nanoparticles prepared without the use of organic solvents, and methods for therapeutically using such bioresorbable nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e.g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: A modified polyurethane including a lipid substituent pendant from at least one urethane nitrogen and/or at least one carbon atom of the modified polyurethane, methods of preparing modified polyurethanes and the use thereof as an implantable biomaterial.

Abstract: A modified polyurethane including a lipid substituent pendant from at least one urethane nitrogen and/or at least one carbon atom of the modified polyurethane, methods of preparing modified polyurethanes and the use thereof as an implantable biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e.g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: Adapting crosslinking with triglycidyl amine (TGA) to incorporate the use of a particular type of anti-calcification agent provides a broad-reaching solution to the problem in vivo bioprosthesis calcification. The anti-calcification agent in question includes a polyphosphonate compound that contains a functional group, which serves as a reaction site between the polyphosphonate and a polyepoxide. The functional group is reactive enough to dominate the reaction between the polyphosphonate and the polyepoxide, thereby excluding the chelating oxygen atoms of polyphosphonate from the reaction, protecting their anti-calcification ability. Furthermore, the high reactivity of the functional group allows the polyphosphonate to attach to the polyepoxide more completely, which improves the calcification resistance of bioprosthetic material with which the polyepoxide is crosslinked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for enhancing the efficiency of delivery of a nucleic acid to a cell. Preferably the cell is a mammalian cell. The method comprises providing to a cell an agent capable of enhancing the cytoskeletal permissiveness of the cell for transfection. The method also comprises providing to the cell a nucleic acid delivery system for the transfection of the cell, whereby the efficiency of delivery of a nucleic acid to the cell is enhanced.

Abstract: A process for preparing the polyurethane derivative, the process including: providing a polyurethane having a urethane amino moiety, providing a multifunctional linker reagent of a formula: LG-RL-(FG)n, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3, FG is a functional group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, LG is a leaving group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, and RL is an (n+1)-valent organic radical having at least one carbon atom; providing a protected thiol-containing reagent of a formula R—C(O)SH, or a salt thereof, wherein R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group; reacting the multifunctional linker reagent with the urethane amino moiety to form a polyurethane substituted with at least one substituent group of a formula: —RL-(FG)n; reacting the polyurethane with a protected thiol-containing reagent to form the polyurethane derivative.

Abstract: A polyurethane having a thiol substituent pendant from at least one nitrogen and/or at least one carbon atom of the polyurethane. A polyurethane having a thiol substituent pendant from at least one nitrogen and/or at least one carbon atom of the polyurethane, wherein the thiol substituent has a formula: —RL—(S—R1)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3; RL is an (n+1)-valent organic radical having at least one carbon atom; and R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of H, C(O)R3, and SR4, wherein R3 is a member selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 alkyl and R4 is a heterocyclic group or an electron deficient aromatic group.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of stabilizing glycosaminoglycans in a biological tissue (e.g. a bioprosthetic implant) in conjunction with cross-linking of protein in the tissue. The methods of the invention improve the mechanical integrity of the device and improves its stability in vivo. The invention also includes biological tissues having stabilized glycosaminoglycans and cross-linked proteins and kits for preparing such tissues.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e.g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: The invention relates to implantable bioprostheses (e.g. implantable biological tissues) and to compositions and methods for stabilizing them. Implantable bioprostheses stabilized as described herein exhibit improved mechanical properties and reduced post-implantation calcification. The implantable bioprosthesis is made by contacting a bioprosthesis (e.g. a tissue obtained from an animal or an article comprising a tissue and a synthetic material) with a polyepoxy amine compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents, such as DNA. The polyanionic bioactive agent in the microspheres and/or nanospheres is preferably condensed using a polycationic condensing agent, such as poly-L-lysine. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the microspheres and/or nanospheres containing condensed polyanionic bioactive agents.

Abstract: A polyurethane having a thiol substituent pendant from at least one nitrogen and/or at least one carbon atom of the polyurethane.

Abstract: A process for preparing the polyurethane derivative, the process including: providing a polyurethane having a urethane amino moiety, providing a multifunctional linker reagent of a formula: LG-RL-(FG)n, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3, FG is a functional group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, LG is a leaving group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, and RL is an (n+1)-valent organic radical having at least one carbon atom; providing a protected thiol-containing reagent of a formula R—C(O)SH, or a salt thereof, wherein R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group; reacting the multifunctional linker reagent with the urethane amino moiety to form a polyurethane substituted with at least one substituent group of a formula: —RL-(FG)n; reacting the polyurethane with a protected thiol-containing reagent to form the polyurethane derivative.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e.g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.