Abstract: The present invention uses externally applied electromagnetic stimulus to control and heat porous magnetic particles and material associated with the particles. The particles contain magnetic material, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and are associated with a material. Application of a DC magnetic field allows them to be moved with their associated material, and application of an AC RF electromagnetic field allows them to be heated with their associated material. The material can be associated with the particles by being contained in the pores of the particles, or in other cases the particles can adhere to the associated material, which can be an aqueous droplet. The present invention also provides a multi-layer porous magnetic particle. The particle includes a host layer having pores sized to accept magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are infused within pores of the host layer An encoding layer includes pores that define a spectral code.

Abstract: The present invention provides particle conjugates for drug delivery. Such conjugates comprise one or more heatable surfaces, one or more thermally-responsive linkers, and one or more agents to be delivered. In some embodiments, conjugates and populations of conjugates can be used to treat and/or diagnose a disease, disorder, and/or condition. The present invention provides methods for producing and/or using thermally-responsive conjugates.

Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus 1 permits electric-field-assisted fluidic assembly of objects 2 on a patterned silicon substrate 11 by means of electrical addressing. Charged objects 2 such as beads and live cells are moved electrokinetically, like as in electrophoresis, through a solution, typically water 3, towards a micro-patterned charged semiconductor electrode, such as a silicon electrode 11 patterned with silicon dioxide, silicon nitride or agarose gel. The charged objects 2 are thus localized and assembled, most typically into arrays of multiple or single particles, in accordance with the patterning of the electrode 11. Correlating with theoretical predictions, negatively charged polystyrene beads of 20 ?m diameter, or live mammalian cells of 20-30 ?m diameter, can be assembled and disassembled on 100 ?m feature size micro-patterned substrates by means of electrical addressing.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the generation of micropatterns of biomolecules and cells on standard laboratory materials through selective ablation of a physisorbed biomolecule with oxygen plasma. In certain embodiments, oxygen plasma is able to ablate selectively physisorbed layers of biomolecules (e.g., type-I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and Matrigel) along complex non-linear paths which are difficult or impossible to pattern using alternative methods. In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the micropatterning of multiple cell types on curved surfaces, multiwell plates, and flat bottom flasks. The invention also features kits for use with the subject methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and compositions for targeted delivery of nanoparticles and/or agents to tissues, cells, and/or subcellular locales. In general, compositions comprise a nanoparticle (e.g. quantum dot, polymeric particle, etc.), at least one modulating entity (such as a targeting moiety, transfection reagent, protective entity, etc.), and at least one agent to be delivered (e.g. therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agent). The present invention provides methods of making and using nanoparticle entities in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A nanoporous silicon support comprising a plurality of macropores is provided to function as a bioreactor for the maintenance of cells in culture in a differentiated state. Each cell or group of cells is grown in an individual macropore and is provided with nutrients by means such as perfusion of the nanoporous silicon support with fluid. The macropores may be between 0.2 and 200 microns and be coated with a substance that promotes cell adhesion. The support containing cells may be used to used to test compounds for biological activity, metabolism, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or to characterize novel or unknown comounds. The supports are sufficiently robust that they may be assembled into larger reactors to simulate organ function or be used for the production of biomolecules.

Abstract: A method for inducing the repair of damaged or diseased liver tissue in vivo is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to the patient a graft composition comprising basement membrane tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate in an amount effective to induce the repair of the liver tissue at the site of administration of the graft composition.

Abstract: The invention is a nanoporous silicon bioreactor for the maintenance of cells in culture in a differentiated state. Each cell or group of cells is grown in an individual macropore and is provided with nutrients by perfusion of the nanoporous silicon support with fluid. Bioreactors may be used to used to test compounds for biological activity, metabolism, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or to characterize novel or unknown comounds. Additionally, the bioreactors are sufficiently robust that they may be assembled into larger reactors to simulate organ function or be used for the production of biomolecules.

Abstract: A nanoporous silicon support comprising a plurality of macropores is provided to function as a bioreactor for the maintenance of cells in culture in a differentiated state. Each cell or group of cells is grown in an individual macropore and is provided with nutrients such as by perfusion of the nanoporous silicon support with fluid. The macropores may be between 0.2 and 200 microns and be coated with a substance that provides cell adhesion. The support containing cells may be used to used to test compounds for biological activity, metabolism, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or to characterize novel or unknown comounds. The support is sufficiently robust that it may be assembled into larger reactors to simulate organ function or be used for the production of biomolecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adhering a biomolecule to a substrate, comprising treating the substrate with a surfactant compound and a biomolecule. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of adhering a biomolecule to a substrate wherein the surfactant compound is not covalently linked to the substrate. The invention also relates to a device for adhering a biomolecule in a predetermined position comprising: a substrate having thereon a plurality of cytophilic regions that can adhere a biomolecule on the substrate by cytophobic regions to which the biomolecules do not adhere contiguous with the cytophilic regions, wherein the cytophobic regions comprise one or more surfactant compounds.

Abstract: The invention is a nanoporous silicon bioreactor for the maintenance of cells in culture in a differentiated state. Each cell or group of cells is grown in an individual macropore and is provided with nutrients by perfusion of the nanoporous silicon support with fluid. Bioreactors may be used to used to test compounds for biological activity, metabolism, toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity or to characterize novel or unknown comounds. Additionally, the bioreactors are sufficiently robust that they may be assembled into larger reactors to simulate organ function or be used for the production of biomolecules.

Abstract: An implantable access device for allowing repeat access to a site, space, device, or other object, fluid, tissue or region within the body of a patient. The implantable device, in one embodiment, includes a housing having an elongated open guidance channel that leads to an entrance orifice, a valve assembly communicating with the entrance orifice, and an exit orifice. The device permits access via the percutaneous insertion of an accessing filament such as a needle through the entrance orifice and into the valve assembly, which opens to allow the passage of fluids or other filaments such as guide wires or optical fibers. The device can be used for the introduction of therapeutic agents, for the infusion or withdrawal of fluids, or for the introduction of sensing, sampling, or treatment devices to another implanted device or to regions within the patient.