Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery vehicle that can improve the pharmacokinetics of pharmacological agents. The invention relates to a multifunctional carrier capable of delivering a carried material such as a pharmacological agent or genetic material to a recipient. The multifunctional carrier includes a multifunctional core and a plurality of adduct molecules bonded thereto. The molecular carrier has surface functional groups which can be associated with a carried material. The carried material can be associated with the molecular carrier through covalent interactions or ionic interactions. The polyvalent core can be ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or succinic acid. The invention also relates to methods for producing and using such molecules.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample is described. The method involves contacting the surface of the solid support with the sample and detecting analyte on the surface of the solid support. A bioconjugate comprising a polypeptide conjugated to a polysaccharide is deposited on the surface of the solid support and the polypeptide of the bioconjugate can interact with the analyte. The analyte can be an antibody and the polypeptide can comprise an antigenic determinant of the antibody. By conjugating the polypeptide to the polysaccharide, the antibody can be detected at lower levels than if the non-conjugated polypeptide were employed. Exemplary solid supports include membranes and assay plates (e.g., ELISA plates). The polysaccharide is preferably a hyaluronic acid or a hyaluronic acid analogue. The method can be used to diagnose diseases such as SARS. Methods of making polypeptide-polysaccharide bioconjugates are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the treatment or prevention of disease with gene therapy or vaccines comprising host optimized GM-CSF nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the invention provides methods for codon optimized GM-CSF with enhanced expression and adjuvant activity ex vivo and in vivo. The present invention also provides for methods of optimizing homologous gene expression ex vivo and in vitro or in transgenic animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using compositions for stimulate an immunological response against cancer. The method comprising contacting colloidal metal with a tumor cell in an aqueous solution to form a colloidal metal-protein complex, separating the colloidal metal-protein complex from other cellular components, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the colloidal metal-protein complexes to a tumor-bearing subject. The present invention further relates to a composition which is made by contacting colloidal metal with a cell in an aqueous solution to form a colloidal metal-protein complex, and separating the colloidal metal-protein complex from other cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the treatment or prevention of disease with gene therapy or vaccines comprising host optimized GM-CSF nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the invention provides methods for codon optimized GM-CSF with enhanced expression and adjuvant activity ex vivo and in vivo. The present invention also provides for methods of optimizing homologous gene expression ex vivo and in vitro or in transgenic animals.

Abstract: Cell transfection compositions including an amphipathic compound and an enzyme inhibitor such as a histone deacetylase inhibitor for delivery of genetic material into cells are provided. The cell transfection compositions can express high levels of an encoding protein with minium cytotoxicity. Exemplary histone deacetylase inhibitors include trichostatin A (TSA), FR901464, FR901228, trapoxin A (TPX). The amphipathic compounds can be cationic compounds, neutral compounds or combinations thereof. The enzyme inhibitor can be encapsulated in a liposome formed by the amphipathic compound or the enzyme inhibitor can be mixed with a pre-formed liposome of the amphipathic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery vehicle that can improve the pharmacokinetics of pharmacological agents. The invention relates to a multifunctional carrier capable of delivering a carried material such as a pharmacological agent or genetic material to a recipient. The multifunctional carrier includes a multifunctional core and a plurality of adduct molecules bonded thereto. The molecular carrier has surface functional groups which can be associated with a carried material. The carried material can be associated with the molecular carrier through covalent interactions or ionic interactions. The polyvalent core can be ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or succinic acid. The invention also relates to methods for producing and using such molecules.