Abstract: Sequence-specific polymers are proving to be a powerful approach to assembly and manipulation of matter on the nanometer scale. Ligands that are peptoids, or sequence-specific N-functional glycine oligomers, allow precise and flexible control over the arrangement of binding groups, steric spacers, charge, and other functionality. We have synthesized short peptoids that can prevent the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in high-salt environments including divalent salt, and allow co-adsorption of a single DNA molecule. This degree of precision and versatility is likely to prove essential in bottom-up assembly of nanostructures and in biomedical applications of nanomaterials.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: Sequence-specific polymers are proving to be a powerful approach to assembly and manipulation of matter on the nanometer scale. This has been most impressive in the case of DNA, and progress has been made toward templating inorganic nanoparticles using DNA nanostructures. One obstacle to this progress is that inorganic nanomaterials are often incompatible with DNA assembly conditions, which involve aqueous solutions high in either or both monovalent and divalent salt. Synthetic oligopeptide ligands have been shown by others to improve nanoparticle stability in high concentrations of monovalent salt. Ligands that are peptoids, or sequence-specific N-functional glycine oligomers, allow precise and flexible control over the arrangement of binding groups, steric spacers, charge, and other functionality. We have synthesized short peptoids that can prevent the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in high-salt environments including divalent salt, and allow co-adsorption of a single DNA molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrPsc form of the prion protein are described for use in detecting PrPsc in biological samples. In particular, ELISA assays are described.

Abstract: Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrPsc form of the prion protein are described. Methods of using the reagents or antibodies to the reagents for detection, diagnosis, purification, therapy and prophylaxis for prions and prion-associated diseases are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates compositions and methods for increasing the uptake of polynucleotides into cells. Specifically, the invention relates to vectors, targeting ligands, and polycationic agents. The polycationic agents are capable of (1) increasing the frequency of uptake of polynucleotides into a cell, (2) condensing polynucleotides; and (3) inhibiting serum and/or nuclease degradation of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: Provided are peptidomimetic protein-binding arrays, their manufacture, use, and application. The protein-binding array elements of the invention include a peptidomimetic segment linked to a solid support via a stable anchor. The invention contemplates peptidomimetic array element library synthesis, distribution, and spotting of array elements onto solid planar substrates, labeling of complex protein mixtures, and the analysis of differential protein binding to the array. The invention also enables the enrichment or purification, and subsequent sequencing or structural analysis of proteins that are identified as differential by the array screen. Kits including proteomic microarrays in accordance with the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are protein microarrays, their manufacture, use, and application. Protein microarrays in accordance with the present invention are useful in a variety preoteomic analyses. Various protein arrays in accordance with the present invention may immobilize large arrays of proteins that may be useful for studying protein-protein interactions to improve understanding of disease processes, facilitating drug discovery, or for identifying potential antigens for vaccine development. The protein array elements of the invention are native or modified proteins (e.g., antibodies or fusion proteins). The protein array elements may be attached directly to a organic functionalized mirrored substrate by a binding reaction between functional groups on the substrate (e.g., amine) and protein (e.g., activated carboxylic acid). Techniques for chemical blocking of the arrays are also provided.

Abstract: Molecules having potential biological activity, particularly peptoids, that are conjugated to solid phase supports, spacer groups, and/or ligation moieties, and methods of their preparation, are described. In some instances, the molecules of the invention are made entirely by solid phase synthesis. In other instances, the spacer groups are hydrophilic and compositions containing them, and to solid phase synthesis of varied structure peptoids using chemoselective ligation moieties.

Abstract: Fluorogenic or chromogenic dyes are useful as reporter molecules for detecting cell entry by a specific molecule.

Abstract: Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrPsc form of the prion protein are described. Methods of using the reagents or antibodies to the reagents for detection, diagnosis, purification, therapy and prophylaxis for prions and prion-associated diseases are also described.

Abstract: Compositions incorporating small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and certain lipid-conjugated polyamide compound-based delivery vehicles that are particularly useful in the delivery siRNA and other polynucleotides to cells. Also, methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides spreading agents based on sequence-specific oligomers comprising a peptoid, a peptide-peptoid chimera, a retropeptoid or a retro(peptoid-peptide) chimera, and methods for using the same, including for the treatment of respiratory distress of the lungs. The spreading agents are sequence-specific oligomers, including retrosequence-specific oligomers, based on a peptide backbone, that are designed as analogs of surfactant protein-B or surfactant protein-C.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds and related compositions and methods thereof Lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds of the present invention are particularly useful as vehicles for delivering biologically active agents to a target site. In particular, the invention compounds are effective at facilitating the delivery of polynucleotides to cells. The present invention also provides a method for producing stable formulations of polynucleotides complexed with a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are affinity support materials having intermediate binding affinity for biological samples. Among the materials provided by the present invention are hydrophilic solid supports composed of hydrophilic ligands coupled to hydrophilic matrixes which are compatible with biological samples, for example, a cell line, a biological fluid such as blood, or a tissue cell lysate. The ligands may include affinity property groups and hydrophilic groups pendent from a backbone, and be configured to at least partially resolve components of a biological sample. Affinity supports in accordance with the present invention may be used in a variety of techniques and apparatuses to achieve improved separations of complex biological samples and thereby enhance the results of biological sample component fractionations, enrichments, purifications, expression product determinations and comparisons, and other biological sample processing techniques.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in solid phase chemical synthesis such as in the synthesis of polypeptides, peptoids, and other molecules synthesized by solid phase methods. The method is used to identify compounds having activity against a selected target, wherein the compounds are present in a mixture obtained from a combinatorial library. A bead distributor probe is also provided. The probe is used to extract beads from a population of beads, and then deliver the bead to a selected location. A capillary bead insert is also provided, as well as a bead distribution system which includes both a bead distributor probe and a capillary bead insert.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in solid phase chemical synthesis such as in the synthesis of polypeptides, peptoids, and other molecules synthesized by solid phase methods. The method is used to identify compounds having activity against a selected target, wherein the compounds are present in a mixture obtained from a combinatorial library. A bead distributor probe is also provided. The probe is used to extract beads from a population of beads, and then deliver the bead to a selected location. A capillary bead insert is also provided, as well as a bead distribution system which includes both a bead distributor probe and a capillary bead insert.