Disclosed herein are gelatin particles including gelatin, wherein when a major-axis length of dried gelatin particles is defined as a and a major-axis length of gelatin particles after swelling treatment obtained by immersing the dried gelatin particles in water at 40 C. under an atmospheric pressure for 60 minutes is defined as b, swelling degree represented by b/a is 1.0 or more but 10.0 or less, and wherein the gelatin particles after swelling treatment have a particle diameter of 1.0 nm or more but 5.0 m or less. The gelatin particles are easily taken up by cells themselves.

A rod-shaped plant virus having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and at least one imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface is described. The rod-shaped viruses can be combined into larger spherical nanoparticles. A rod-shaped plant virus or spherical nanoparticles including an imaging agent can be used in a method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject such as a tumor or atherosclerotic tissue by administering the virus particle to the subject and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the virus particle has been distributed.

The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Modified viruses and methods for preparing the modified viruses are provided. Vaccines that contain the viruses are provided. The viruses can be used in methods of treatment of diseases, such as proliferative and inflammatory disorders, including cancer, and as anti-tumor and/or antiangiogenic agents. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.

Modified viruses and methods for preparing the modified viruses are provided. Vaccines that contain the viruses are provided. The viruses can be used in methods of treatment of diseases, such as proliferative and inflammatory disorders, including cancer, and as anti-tumor and/or antiangiogenic agents. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.

Provided herein are polymeric particles and compositions (i.e., backpacks) that can adhere to cells and provide delivery of payload agents to those cells, and/or direct therapeutic activity of those cells.

The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Recombinant host cells are provided. The cell genome contains heterologous gene expression cassettes capable of being expressed in the host cell, where the gene expression cassettes encode a nucleic acid sequence encompassing at least 80% of the full-length sequence of the mamAB operon, the mamGDFC operon, and the tmms6 operon of a magnetotactic alphaproteobacterium, respectively. The cells may further comprise gene expression cassettes capable of being expressed in the host cell, where the gene expression cassettes encode a nucleic acid sequence encompassing at least 80% of the full-length sequence of the mamXY operon and/or the feoABI operon of a magnetotactic alphaproteobacterium; where the recombinant host cell, upon expression of the gene expression cassettes in their entirety, is capable of producing magnetic nanoparticles. Preferably, the recombinant host cell is derived from Rhodospirillum rubrum. Methods of producing these recombinant host cells by genetic transposition are provided.