A method of rapidly forming an elastomer with tunable properties is described herein. The method includes preparing a monomer solution comprising a catalyst and one or more monomers including 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD). The one or more monomers may further include dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), and each of the COD and the DCPD may be present in the monomer solution at a predetermined volume percentage. A region of the monomer solution is activated to initiate an exothermic polymerization reaction and generate a self-propagating polymerization front, which moves through the monomer solution and polymerizes the one or more monomers. Thus, an elastomer having predetermined properties is rapidly formed.

A method of rapidly forming an elastomer with tunable properties is described herein. The method includes preparing a monomer solution comprising a catalyst and one or more monomers including 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD). The one or more monomers may further include dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), and each of the COD and the DCPD may be present in the monomer solution at a predetermined volume percentage. A region of the monomer solution is activated to initiate an exothermic polymerization reaction and generate a self-propagating polymerization front, which moves through the monomer solution and polymerizes the one or more monomers. Thus, an elastomer having predetermined properties is rapidly formed.

A method for fabricating a cornea includes affixing a frame to at least one cell culture insert comprising a generally cylindrical structure having a proximal end and a distal end, a base disposed at the proximal end, and a porous membrane disposed between the proximal end and the distal end; affixing a dome-shaped member to the porous membrane within the frame, the dome-shaped member comprising a crown, a dome base, and a surface connecting the crown and the dome base; depositing a material comprising a matrix-forming compound on the frame such that the crown and at least a portion of the surface of the dome-shaped member is coated with the material comprising the matrix-forming compound; and removing the dome-shaped member to produce a fabricated cornea attached to the frame. A system for fabricating a cornea and a cornea scaffold are also described herein.

A method for coating a solid surface with a recombinant spider silk protein capable of forming polymeric, solid structures is provided. The method is comprising the following steps: exposing the solid surface to an aqueous solution of the recombinant spider silk protein and thereby forming a surface layer of the recombinant spider silk protein adsorbed on the solid surface without formation of covalent bonds between the recombinant spider silk protein and the solid surface; and further exposing the surface layer of the solid surface to an aqueous solution of the recombinant spider silk protein and thereby forming an assembled silk structure layer of the recombinant spider silk protein on the surface layer; wherein the method does not include drying-in of spider silk protein.

Compositions and methods for making biocompatible articles are provided. A method includes preparing a 3D printable mixture and depositing successive layers of the mixture in a predetermined pattern to form a porous biocompatible article. The predetermined pattern has a porosity suitable for a bone or cartilage scaffold. Associated 3D printable compositions and porous articles made from the described methods are also described. The preparing a 3D printable mixture can comprise conjugating an alkyne-terminated polymer to a peptide to form a peptide-containing composite, or providing a mixture that comprises a ceramic material and a binder, and wherein the 3D printable mixture comprises from 50 wt. % to 80 wt. % of the ceramic material.

Compositions and methods for making biocompatible articles are provided. A method includes preparing a 3D printable mixture and depositing successive layers of the mixture in a predetermined pattern to form a porous biocompatible article. The predetermined pattern has a porosity suitable for a bone or cartilage scaffold. Associated 3D printable compositions and porous articles made from the described methods are also described. The preparing a 3D printable mixture can comprise conjugating an alkyne-terminated polymer to a peptide to form a peptide-containing composite, or providing a mixture that comprises a ceramic material and a binder, and wherein the 3D printable mixture comprises from 50 wt. % to 80 wt. % of the ceramic material.

The present invention relates to a novel acellular artificial skin substitute or scaffolds comprising biopolymer and bioactive components and the process of preparing said artificial skin substitute. The novel artificial foam-based skin substitute scaffold of the present invention addresses the problems in the prior art by providing a biocompatible, biodegradable, Non-immunogenic, non-irritant and a cost-effective scaffold.

Compositions or an assembly of a series of biomimetic compounds include chemical structures that mimic or structurally resemble a nucleic acid base pair. Complexes of nanotubes and agents are useful to deliver agents into the cells or bodily tissues of individuals for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Exemplary compounds include those of Formula (I), (III), (V) or (VII), or of Formula (II), (IV), (VI) or (VIII). ##STR00001##

A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

A composition, comprising a hydrogel matrix and microparticles within said matrix, said matrix comprising a cross-linkable protein and a cross-linking agent, wherein said cross-linking agent is able to cross-link said cross-linkable protein, wherein said microparticles comprise a drug.