A novel microporous biomaterial vaccine platform for long-lasting antibody mediated immunity against viral infection.

Current antigen delivery platforms, such as alum and nanoparticles, are not readily tunable, thus may not generate optimal adaptive immune responses. We created an antigen delivery platform by loading lyophilized Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) with aqueous solution containing target antigens. Upon administration of antigen loaded MAP (VaxMAP), the biomaterial reconstitution forms an instant antigen-loaded porous scaffold area with a sustained release profile to maximize humoral immunity.

Small-Molecule Patterning via Prefunctionalized Alkanethiols.

Interactions between small molecules and biomolecules are important physiologically and for biosensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. To investigate these interactions, small molecules can be tethered to substrates through standard coupling chemistries. While convenient, these approaches co-opt one or more of the few small-molecule functional groups needed for biorecognition.

Resistance to complement activation, cell membrane hypersialylation and relapses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with rituximab and chemotherapy.

The anti-CD20-specific monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX), in combination with chemotherapy, is commonly used for primary treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, relapses remain important and activation of the complement pathway is one of the mechanisms by which RTX generates the destruction of B cells directly by complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or indirectly by antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. In this study, the RTX capacity to induce CDC was established in 69 untreated CLL patients, this cohort including 34 patients tested before the initiation of RTX-chemotherapy.

Aptamer Recognition of Multiplexed Small-Molecule-Functionalized Substrates.

Aptamers are chemically synthesized oligonucleotides or peptides with molecular recognition capabilities. We investigated recognition of substrate-tethered small-molecule targets, using neurotransmitters as examples, and fluorescently labeled DNA aptamers. Substrate regions patterned via microfluidic channels with dopamine or   l-tryptophan were selectively recognized by previously identified dopamine or l-tryptophan aptamers, respectively.

Designing Hybrid Antibiotic Peptide Conjugates To Cross Bacterial Membranes.

We design hybrid antibiotic peptide conjugates that can permeate membranes. Integration of multiple components with different functions into a single molecule is often problematic, due to competing chemical requirements for different functions and to mutual interference. By examining the structure of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), we show that it is possible to design and synthesize membrane active antibiotic peptide conjugates (MAAPCs) that synergistically combine multiple forms of antimicrobial activity, resulting in unusually strong activity against persistent bacterial strains.

Pentobra: A Potent Antibiotic with Multiple Layers of Selective Antimicrobial Mechanisms against Propionibacterium Acnes.

Although antibiotics are a common treatment for acne, the difficulties inherent to effective antimicrobial penetration in sebum and selective antimicrobial action in the skin are compounded by increasing resistance of Propionibacterium acnes clinical isolates. To address these problems, we engineered Pentobra, a peptide-aminoglycoside molecule that has multiple mechanisms of antibacterial action and investigated whether it can be a potential candidate for the treatment of acne. Pentobra combines the potent ribosomal activity of aminoglycosides with the bacteria-selective membrane-permeabilizing abilities of antimicrobial peptides.

Synthetic and bioinspired cage nanoparticles for drug delivery.

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery, but still faces some limitations. One of the main issues regarding conventional nanoparticles is their poor drug-loading and their early burst release. Thus, to overcome these problems, researchers have taken advantage of the host-guest interactions that drive some assemblies to form cage molecules able to strongly entrap their cargo and design new nanocarriers called cage nanoparticles.

Engineering persister-specific antibiotics with synergistic antimicrobial functions.

Most antibiotics target growth processes and are ineffective against persister bacterial cells, which tolerate antibiotics due to their reduced metabolic activity. These persisters act as a genetic reservoir for resistant mutants and constitute a root cause of antibiotic resistance, a worldwide problem in human health. We re-engineer antibiotics specifically for persisters using tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic that targets bacterial ribosomes but is ineffective against persisters with low metabolic and cellular transport activity.

Phenylboronic acid-installed polymeric micelles for targeting sialylated epitopes in solid tumors.

Ligand-mediated targeting of nanocarriers to tumors is an attractive strategy for increasing the efficiency of chemotherapies. Sialylated glycans represent a propitious target as they are broadly overexpressed in tumor cells. Because phenylboronic acid (PBA) can selectively recognize sialic acid (SA), herein, we developed PBA-installed micellar nanocarriers incorporating the parent complex of the anticancer drug oxaliplatin, for targeting sialylated epitopes overexpressed on cancer cells.

"Click" conjugation of peptide on the surface of polymeric nanoparticles for targeting tumor angiogenesis.

Purpose: Angiogenesis plays a critical role in tumor growth. This phenomena is regulated by numerous mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). CBO-P11, a cyclo-peptide, has proven to specifically bind to receptors of VEGF and may be used as targeting ligand for tumor angiogenesis.