Abstract: A method of coating a peptide or protein useful for improving the cellular activity related to bone growth on an inorganic particle comprises the steps of freezing the residual liquid present on uncoated and or coated inorganic particles, and drying the uncoated or coated inorganic particles after freezing the residual liquid, the drying comprising causing the frozen residual liquid to sublime under vacuum. Further disclosed embodiments of the invention include further processes for forming inorganic particles coated with a peptide or protein useful for improving cellular activity related to bone growth and medical devices comprising the coated particles.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for (i) controlling the amount of peptide bound to calcium phosphate particles; and (ii) for tightly binding peptide to the surface of calcium phosphate particles. The methods and compositions can be useful for preparing implants useful for promoting bone deposition at the site of implantation, and for repairing a variety of orthopedic conditions.

Abstract: A method of coating a peptide or protein useful for improving the cellular activity related to bone growth on an inorganic particle comprises the steps of freezing the residual liquid present on uncoated and or coated inorganic particles, and drying the uncoated or coated inorganic particles after freezing the residual liquid, the drying comprising causing the frozen residual liquid to sublime under vacuum. Further disclosed embodiments of the invention include further processes for forming inorganic particles coated with a peptide or protein useful for improving cellular activity related to bone growth and medical devices comprising the coated particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (e.g., a sericin polypeptide). The invention also provides methods and kits using the antibodies of the invention. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino add sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino add sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is a sericin polypeptide (e.g., a sericin isoform 1B polypeptide). In a related aspect, the invention features a method for selectively detecting sericin in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (e.g., a sericin polypeptide). The invention also provides methods and kits using the antibodies of the invention. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino add sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to a polypeptide at an epitope in the amino add sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is a sericin polypeptide (e.g., a sericin isoform 1B polypeptide). In a related aspect, the invention features a method for selectively detecting sericin in a sample.