The embodiments provide compositions comprising DNA dendrimers, targeting molecules, therapeutic agents, adaptor molecules, support molecules, or combinations thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods using and producing the same are also provided.
Read More: WO2025034978A1 - Enhanced dna dendrimers and methods of use thereof - Google Patents 

Dissertation supervised by Dr. Ellen S. Gawalt

This work encompasses three individual projects concerning biomaterials and their modifications. 

Chemically-Induced Cross-Linking of Peptidic Fibrils for Scaffolding Polymeric Particles and Macrophages; Attachment of a Low Molecular Weight Heparin to Titanium Dioxide for the Prevention of Fibrin Clotting; Optimization of a High Refractive Index, Hydrophobic Intraocular Lens Material  

Read More: "BIOMATERIALS: FROM SCAFFOLD DESIGN TO IMPLANT OPTIMIZATION" by Jennifer Marie Armen 

Nanoparticle formulations have long been proposed as subunit vaccine carriers owing to their ability to entrap proteins and codeliver adjuvants. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) remains one of the most studied polymers for controlled release and nanoparticle drug delivery, and numerous studies exist proposing PLGA particles as subunit vaccine carriers. In this work we report using PLGA nanoparticles modified with biotin (bNPs) to deliver proteins via adsorption and stimulate professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We present evidence showing bNPs are capable of retaining proteins through the biotin–avidin interaction. Surface accessible biotin bound both biotinylated catalase (bCAT) through avidin and streptavidin horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Analysis of the HRP found that activity on the bNPs was preserved once captured on the surface of bNP. Further, bNPs were found to have self-adjuvant properties, evidenced by bNP induced IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-12 production in vitro in APCs, thereby licensing the cells to generate Th1-type helper T cell responses. Cytokine production was reduced in avidin precoated bNPs (but not with other proteins), suggesting that the proinflammatory response is due in part to exposed biotin on the surface of bNPs. bNPs injected subcutaneously were localized to draining lymph nodes detectable after 28 days and were internalized by bronchoalveolar lavage dendritic cells and macrophages in mice in a dose-dependent manner when delivered intranasally. Taken together, these data provide evidence that bNPs should be explored further as potential adjuvanting carriers for subunit vaccines.

Read More: Immune Cells Activating Biotin-Decorated PLGA Protein Carrier | Molecular Pharmaceutics 

EAK16-II (EAK) is a self-assembling peptide (SAP) that forms β-sheets and β-fibrils through ionic-complementary interactions at physiological ionic strengths. The soft materials can be injected in vivo, creating depots of drugs and cells for rendering pharmacological and biological actions. The scope of the applications of EAK is sought to extend to tissues through which the flow of extracellular fluid tends to be limited. In such anatomical locales the rate and extent of the fibrilization are limited insofar as drug delivery and cellular scaffolding would be impeded. A method is generated utilizing a carbodiimide cross-linker by which EAK fibrils are pre-assembled yet remain injectable soft materials. It is hypothesized that the resulting de novo covalent linkages enhance the stacking of the β-sheet bilayers, thereby increasing the lengths of the fibrils and the extent of their cross-linking, as evidenced in Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy analyses. The cross-linked EAK (clEAK) retains polymeric microspheres with an average diameter of 1 µm. Macrophages admixed with clEAK remain viable and do not produce the inflammatory mediator interleukin-1β. These results indicate that clEAK should be investigated further as a platform for delivering particles and cells in vivo.

Read More: Chemically‐Induced Cross‐Linking of Peptidic Fibrils for Scaffolding Polymeric Particles and Macrophages - Armen - 2021 - Macromolecular Bioscience - Wiley Online Library 

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