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Drug Delivery

Latest Innovations
Preparation of Degradable Silica-Drug Conjugated Nanoparticle with Monodisperse Particle Sizes The invention provides a silica nanoparticle comprising a non-porous matrix of silicon-oxygen bonds, wherein the matrix comprises organic agents conjugated to... Read More The invention provides a silica nanoparticle comprising a non-porous matrix of silicon-oxygen bonds, wherein the matrix comprises organic agents conjugated to silicon or oxygen atoms in the matrix, the organic agents are conjugated to the matrix through linker L groups, wherein the linker L comprises, for example, an ester, urea, thiourea, or thio ether group, and wherein the diameter of the nanoparticle is about 15 nm to about 200 nm. The invention also provides novel methods of making and using the silica nanoparticles.
A More Stable and Efficient Retroviral Gene Delivery Vector This technology is a viral vector based on the murine leukemia virus (MLV), which has been favored for clinical gene therapy due to its preferential infectivity of... Read More This technology is a viral vector based on the murine leukemia virus (MLV), which has been favored for clinical gene therapy due to its preferential infectivity of human cell types. The original vector has been modified through the use of directed evolution targeting its protease (PR) gene, which has been found to produce increased stability for the viral vector. It is believed that this modification has the potential to be applied to all clinically-relevant viral vectors. Applications Clinical, such as delivery of gene therapy therapeutics Biomedical Research by way of development of gene therapy therapeutics and general basic science research. Benefits Increased virus production. Increased infection efficiency. Increased safety (indirect benefit of decrease in required vector dose).
Cell Encapsulation in Uniform Microcapsules with Built-In Cell Centering Mechanism A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream... Read More A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream of a shell solution, and an inner nozzle operable to discharge an inner stream of a core solution intermixed with a plurality of materials. The outer stream can substantially surrounds the inner stream, thereby forming a combined stream. A plurality of capsules can be formed responsive to a force applied to the combined stream. At least a portion of the plurality of capsules are desirable capsules, each having a core encapsulated by a portion of the shell solution. The core can have at least one of the plurality of materials encapsulated by a portion of the core solution without protruding an outer surface of the portion of the shell solution.
Controlled Targets-Specific Drug Delivery via DNAzyme (aptazyme or aptamer) - Functionalized Liposome An amphiphilic substance includes a hydrophobic group, and a polynucleotide group attached to the hydrophobic group. The polynucleotide group includes a first... Read More An amphiphilic substance includes a hydrophobic group, and a polynucleotide group attached to the hydrophobic group. The polynucleotide group includes a first polynucleotide segment and a second polynucleotide segment. The first and second polynucleotide segments are at least partially complementary and are bound together by interactions including base pairing. At least one of the first and second segments includes at least one of an aptamer and a nucleic acid-based enzyme. A lipid vesicle may include the amphiphilic substance, a first polar lipid that is an unstable vesicle former, and a polar liquid. Upon exposure to a rupture agent, the vesicle may rupture, releasing the contents of the vesicle. Substances that may be released from the vesicle include bioactive agents, such as drug agents.
Ionic Helical Polypeptides - Non-Viral Gene Delivery with Improved Transfection Efficiency Tremendous potential exists for helical polypeptides that are water soluble (ionic) and remain stable at physiological conditions,... Read More Tremendous potential exists for helical polypeptides that are water soluble (ionic) and remain stable at physiological conditions, variable environmental conditions including pH fluctuations, temperature changes, and in the presence of denaturing agents for gene delivery and cell-membrane penetration over commercially available products. Libraries of helical polypeptides are screened for desired traits, i.e. efficient gene transfection compared to standard transfection reagents.
Bio-Engineered Hyper-Functional Super Helicases Dr. Taekjip Ha has developed a bio-engineered, hyper-functional "super" helicase that is capable of unwinding 5000+ base pairs without stopping. The super... Read More Dr. Taekjip Ha has developed a bio-engineered, hyper-functional "super" helicase that is capable of unwinding 5000+ base pairs without stopping. The super helicase is designed such that the helicase cannot dissociate until the end of the DNA is encountered, making the processivity of the super helicase theoretically infinite in ideal conditions. Furthermore, it can exert forces in the range of 50-80pN which are currently the strongest helicase forces reported. This super helicase could provide a better alternative to helicases currently used in nanopore sequencing and isothermal PCR. Technology Benefits: Benefits over existing helicases: Natural Rep protein is a very poor helicase which can unwind DNA sequences as short as 18 base pairs (bp), and at very high concentrations, only up to 30-50 bp • Rep-X exhibits extremely enhanced DNA unwinding activity: it can unwind 5000+ bp without stopping • Rep-X is designed in a way that the helicase cannot physically dissociate until the end of the DNA is encountered. • Rep-X is an extremely strong protein, which cannot be stopped by forces up to 80 pN which is above the shearing force of double stranded DNA. By carefully controlling crosslinker length, and specific mutations sites that the crosslinkers target, other helicases can be stabilized in the specific conformation that gives rise to the super-active form (i.e. "Helicase-X").
Multiplexed Targeted Genome Engineering and Gene Activation Dr. Pablo Perez-Pinera from the University of Illinois has developed a multiplexable and universal nuclease-assisted... Read More Dr. Pablo Perez-Pinera from the University of Illinois has developed a multiplexable and universal nuclease-assisted vector integration system for rapid generation of gene knock outs using selection that does not require customized targeting vectors, thereby minimizing the cost and time frame needed for gene editing. Importantly, this system is capable of remodeling native mammalian genomes through integration of DNA, up to 50 kb, enabling rapid generation and screening of multigene knockouts from a single transfection. Furthermore, this method facilitates activation of genes by introduction of specific promoters that allows for genomic scale activation screens. Benefits • Minimizes cost and time for gene editing • Multigene knockouts can be rapidly generated • Facile integration of large constructs up to 50 kb • Introduces speci c promoters for genomic scale activation screens
A Sustained Inhibition of Cancer Stem Cells via STAT-3 Modulation Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has... Read More Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has developed a technology to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. The technology involves coating such poorly water soluble drugs onto a carbon nanoparticle, cucurbituril (CB6) for controlled drug delivery and for improved antitumor activity in vivo. Benefits • Increases bioavailability of known low solubility drugs • Green carbon nanoparticles that reduces toxicity • Theranostic applications
Solution Coating and Printing of Pharmaceutical Nanothin Films and Multilayer Nanocomposites A meniscus-guided solution coating technique to produce pharmaceutical nanothin films. This is a new way to manufacture personalized multilayer combination drugs, which... Read More A meniscus-guided solution coating technique to produce pharmaceutical nanothin films. This is a new way to manufacture personalized multilayer combination drugs, which can be beneficial to types of cancer where mono-chemotherapy is ineffective. This new technology enables a uniform deposition of thin films down to a few nm in thickness, easy alternation of the film morphology (modulation of dissolution rate) and polymorphism (control of bioavailability), and a layer-by-layer production of dosages comprised of multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients. The method is cost-competitive, scalable, and high-throughput.
Long-Release Hydrogel Nanoparticle Carriers for Drug Delivery Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug... Read More Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug release profile than other carriers. The invented nano/micro carriers allows delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents that have low aqueous solubility. These hydrophobic molecules are confined inside hydrophobic pockets, and are released as polymer matrix degrades. Application This technology is used for delivering hydrophobic drugs in aqueous environments in the body. Benefit This invention boasts a longer release profile and allows drugs to be released over a longer period of time due to additional crosslinking between gelatin and cyclodextrin.

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