Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain chemical compounds isolated from Chinese medicinal herbs are useful as anti-microbial agents, e.g., anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, and the like. In particular, the present invention provides compositions useful for treating microbial infections such as, for example, oral microbial infections, including periodontal disease and dental caries.

Abstract: This invention provides novel targeted antimicrobial compositions. In various embodiments chimeric moieties are provided comprising an antimicrobial peptide attached to a peptide targeting moiety that binds a bacterial strain or species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targeting peptides capable of specifically binding to microbial organisms (e.g., P. aeruginosa or S. mutans), antimicrobial peptides having antimicrobial activities, and specifically/selectively targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs). In addition, the present invention provides methods of selectively killing or inhibiting microbial organisms by using the peptides or compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for inducing hair growth and/or inhibiting hair loss and/or inducing nail growth in a mammal. In various embodiments the methods involve administering, e.g., to a mammal in need thereof, a calcium-binding peptide and/or peptide-like moiety in an amount sufficient to induce hair growth and/or to inhibit hair loss. In certain embodiments the agent is topically and/or transdermally administered.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted anti-microbial effect. Specifically the composition contains a targeting moiety which recognizes a target microbial organism and an anti-microbial peptide moiety which has anti-microbial activity. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating a microbial infection, e.g., on mucosal surfaces by using the compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides that are effective to inhibit growth and/or proliferation of various gram positive bacteria. In particular, the peptides are effective against Streptococcus mutans a common oral pathogen and the causative agent of dental caries.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this invention pertains to the creation of “Sparse Matrix” libraries of compounds. The sparse matrix libraries of this invention typically span an n-dimensional parameter (property) space at extremely sparse intervals and thereby provide a relatively small library of compounds (e.g., a library of about 200 or fewer compounds) that can be used to quickly and efficiently screen the compound parameter space for one or more desired physical, chemical, or biological properties (e.g., binding specificity, binding avidity, ?toxicity, solubility, mobility, cell permeability, serum half-life, biocompatibility, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted anti-microbial effect. Specifically the composition contains a targeting moiety which recognizes a target microbial organism and an anti-microbial peptide moiety which has anti-microbial activity. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating a microbial infection, e.g., on mucosal surfaces by using the compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a class of compounds comprising peptides of the sequence (X-Y-Z)n, wherein X is an amino acid selected from aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, alanine and glutamine, and Y and Z are amino acids selected from alanine, serine, threonine, phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and their derivatives. These compounds have the property of binding tightly and specifically to calcified surfaces, making them useful for a variety of applications including remineralization of tooth and bone surfaces, diagnosis of bone and tooth defects, treatment of bone and tooth defects, and analysis of the presence and location of calcified deposits both in vitro and in vivo and in industrial, synthetic, medical, dental, and research applications where identification, localization, or manipulation of calcification is desirable.

Abstract: This invention provides novel antimicrobial peptides that are effective to inhibit growth and/or proliferation of various gram positive bacteria. In particular, the peptides are effective against Streptococcus mutans a common oral pathogen and the causative agent of dental caries.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that interspecies quorum sensing is related to biofilm formation. The present invention provides methods useful for treating or preventing biofilm formation and microbial infections associated with biofilm formation by using an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal. The present invention also provides compositions containing an anti-microbial agent and an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targeting peptides capable of specifically binding to microbial organisms (e.g., P. aeruginosa or S. mutans), antimicrobial peptides having antimicrobial activities, and specifically/selectively targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs). In addition, the present invention provides methods of selectively killing or inhibiting microbial organisms by using the peptides or compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for selectively manipulating a growth rate of a selected bacterium comprising the step of contacting the selected bacterium with a predetermined amount of a quorum sensing molecule to affect a change in the growth rate of the selected bacterium, wherein the quorum sensing molecule is species specific, and the change in the growth rate is dependent on the amount of quorum sensing molecule in a dose-dependent fashion. Also provided are methods for treating or protecting against bacterial infections by utilizing the dose-dependent response of bacterial quorum sensing systems. The methods can be applied to a wide range of bacteria species including Streptococci, Staphylococci, and Bacilli. Compositions, medicaments and oral formulations for use with the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain chemical compounds isolated from Chinese medicinal herbs are useful as anti-microbial agents, e.g., anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, and the like. In particular, the present invention provides compositions useful for treating microbial infections such as, for example, oral microbial infections, including periodontal disease and dental caries.

Abstract: Antibodies, as well as binding fragments and mimetics thereof, that specifically bind to Actinomyces or Lactobacillus cariogenic bacteria are provided. The subject binding agents, e.g., antibodies, fragments and mimetics thereof, etc., are characterized in that they are highly sensitive and specific for their target bacteria. Also provided are methods and devices for screening samples for the presence of cariogenic bacteria. In addition therapeutic treatment protocols and compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that interspecies quorum sensing is related to biofilm formation. The present invention provides methods useful for treating or preventing biofilm formation and microbial infections associated with biofilm formation by using an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal. The present invention also provides compositions containing an anti-micorbial agent and an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted anti-microbial effect. Specifically the composition contains a targeting moiety which recognizes a target microbial organism and an anti-microbial peptide moiety which has anti-microbial activity. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating a microbial infection, e.g., on mucosal surfaces by using the compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Microbial infection may be treated by administration of a fusion protein comprising one or more recognition sequences and at least one antimicrobial peptide. In preferred embodiments, a linker peptide connects the recognition sequence and one or more antimicrobial peptides. The recognition sequence may be an immunoglobulin molecule, or fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a target antigen present on a pathogen. The recognition sequence may also be a non-immunological polypeptide, providing that the polypeptide binds specifically to a particular ligand. In presently preferred embodiments the recognition sequence is monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to S. mutans and the antimicrobial peptides are derivatives of histatin.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of herbs and methods of using the compositions for treating and preventing microbial infection, especially dental caries or periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that interspecies quorum sensing is related to biofilm formation. The present invention provides methods useful for treating or preventing biofilm formation and microbial infections associated with biofilm formation by using an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal. The present invention also provides compositions containing an anti-micorbial agent and an agent that either increases LuxS-dependent pathway or interspecies quorum sensing signal.