The invention provides surfactant compounds of formulas I-IX, which can be used in methods for aiding the solubilization, digestion, preparation, analysis, and/or characterization of biological material, for example, proteins or cell membranes. The compounds can also aid in the recovery of peptides generated during protein digestion, particularly for in-gel digestion protocol. Additionally, the compounds can improve enzymatic protein deglycosylation without interfering with downstream sample preparation steps and mass spectrometric analysis. The compounds can be specifically useful as digestion aids that can be decomposed by an acid, by heat, or a combination thereof. Decomposition of the surfactants allows for facile separation from isolated samples, and/or allows for analysis of the sample without interfering with the sensitivity of various analytical techniques.

The invention provides surfactant compounds of formulas I-IX, which can be used in methods for aiding the solubilization, digestion, preparation, analysis, and/or characterization of biological material, for example, proteins or cell membranes. The compounds can also aid in the recovery of peptides generated during protein digestion, particularly for in-gel digestion protocol. Additionally, the compounds can improve enzymatic protein deglycosylation without interfering with downstream sample preparation steps and mass spectrometric analysis. The compounds can be specifically useful as digestion aids that can be decomposed by an acid, by heat, or a combination thereof. Decomposition of the surfactants allows for facile separation from isolated samples, and/or allows for analysis of the sample without interfering with the sensitivity of various analytical techniques.

Compounds having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity are disclosed. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions having the structure: (T)-(L)-(D), wherein (T) is a targeting moiety, (L) is an optional linker, and (D) is a compound having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity.

Compounds having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity are disclosed. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions having the structure: (T)-(L)-(D), wherein (T) is a targeting moiety, (L) is an optional linker, and (D) is a compound having cytotoxic and/or anti-mitotic activity.

Hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties such as rapid curing and compatibility with fillers suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

Hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ethers can be incorporated into the backbone of polythioether prepolymers and can be used as curing agents in thiol-terminated polythioether prepolymer compositions. Cured sealants prepared using compositions containing hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ether-containing polythioether prepolymers and/or hydroxyl-containing bis(alkenyl) ether curing agents exhibit improved physical properties such as rapid curing and compatibility with fillers suitable for use in aerospace sealant applications.

A problem of the present invention is to provide a polymerizable compound and a polymerizable composition which cause little decrease in retardation and discoloration when a film-shaped polymer produced by polymerization is irradiated with ultraviolet/visible light for a long time at high temperature. A further problem is to provide a polymer produced by polymerizing the polymerizable composition and an optically anisotropic body using the polymer. As a result, a compound useful as a component of a polymerizable composition was obtained. An optically anisotropic body using a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing the compound of the present invention is useful for application to an optical film and the like.

A problem of the present invention is to provide a polymerizable compound and a polymerizable composition which cause little decrease in retardation and discoloration when a film-shaped polymer produced by polymerization is irradiated with ultraviolet/visible light for a long time at high temperature. A further problem is to provide a polymer produced by polymerizing the polymerizable composition and an optically anisotropic body using the polymer. As a result, a compound useful as a component of a polymerizable composition was obtained. An optically anisotropic body using a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing the compound of the present invention is useful for application to an optical film and the like.

The present invention relates to a cationic lipid having one or more biodegradable groups located in a lipidic moiety (e.g., a hydrophobic chain) of the cationic lipid. These cationic lipids may be incorporated into a lipid particle for delivering an active agent, such as a nucleic acid. The invention also relates to lipid particles comprising a neutral lipid, a lipid capable of reducing aggregation, a cationic lipid of the present invention, and optionally, a sterol. The lipid particle may further include a therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid.

The present invention relates to a cationic lipid having one or more biodegradable groups located in a lipidic moiety (e.g., a hydrophobic chain) of the cationic lipid. These cationic lipids may be incorporated into a lipid particle for delivering an active agent, such as a nucleic acid. The invention also relates to lipid particles comprising a neutral lipid, a lipid capable of reducing aggregation, a cationic lipid of the present invention, and optionally, a sterol. The lipid particle may further include a therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid.