In certain embodiments allosteric inhibitors of BACE are provided. Illustrative inhibitors include but are not limited to various metformin analogs.

Polynucleotides such as DNA are stored inside vesicles formed from self-assembling membranes. The vesicles may be protocells, liposomes, micelles, colloidosomes, proteinosomes, or coacervates. The vesicles may include surface functionalization to improve polynucleotide encapsulation and/or to bind polynucleotides having specific sequences. Encapsulation in vesicles provides protection for the polynucleotides. Additional protection is provided by addition of one or more stabilizers. The stabilizer may be nucleic-acid stabilizers that stabilize the polynucleotides or may be a protective structural layer around the vesicles such as a layer of silica. A process for stably storing polynucleotides in vesicles and a process for recovering stored polynucleotides from vesicles are both disclosed. The polynucleotides may be used for storage of digital information.

Described herein are novel, modified targeting peptides which can be incorporated within liposomes. Additionally, described herein are liposomes containing the modified targeting peptides. Liposomes preferably comprise a lipid-based bilayer and at least one drug. Also provided herein are methods for making the modified targeting peptides, and the liposomes, and methods for treatment of diseases of the CNS using the liposomes.

The invention relates to a method of treating or diagnosing a disease state mediated by monocytes. The method utilizes a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula
A.sub.b-X
wherein the group A.sub.b comprises a ligand that binds to monocytes, and when the conjugate is being used for treatment of the disease state, the group X comprises an immunogen, a cytotoxin, or a compound capable of altering monocyte function, and when the conjugate is being used for diagnosing the disease state, the group X comprises an imaging agent.

Synthetic nanocarrier constructs and related compositions comprising a lipid-based bilayer membrane infused with one or more NK-92 cell membrane proteins, which encapsulates a liquid receiving interior space or coats at least a portion of a solid core. Methods of targeted delivery of an active/diagnostic/imaging agent to a specific cell type or a region of a patient by administering a plurality of nanocarrier constructs to the patient. MRI imaging methods and novel MRI contrast agent constructs are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides antibodies specific for Mucin 1. Nucleic acids that encode one or both of the variable chains of an antibody of the present disclosure are also provided, as are cells that include such nucleic acids. Also provided are compositions that include the antibodies of the present disclosure, including in some instances, pharmaceutical compositions. Methods of making and using the antibodies of the present disclosure are also provided. In certain aspects, provided are methods that include administering to an individual having a cell proliferative disorder a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody of the present disclosure, where the antibody is administered to the individual to enhance an immune response, e.g., a T cell response, to abnormally proliferating cells of the cell proliferative disorder. The antibodies are also useful in various diagnostic, and monitoring applications, which are also provided.

According to some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for making and using multifunctional polymerized liposomes finding relevant application in medical sciences, particularly in bioimaging, diagnostics, drug delivery, and drug formulation. The compositions and methods involve lipids that are both polymerizable and have a “clickable” group that provides the ability to functionalize via a click reaction with various functional moieties useful for the above-listed applications.

The invention provides nanoparticles containing a nucleic acid nanostructure, of defined shape and size, linked to a hydrophobic moiety and coated by lipids, compositions comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of producing and methods of using the nanoparticles.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a selective transport molecule with increased in vivo circulation. In some embodiments, a selective transport molecule disclosed herein has the formula (A-X-B-C)-M, wherein C is a cargo moiety; A is a peptide with a sequence comprising 5 to 9 consecutive acidic amino acids, wherein the amino acids are selected from: aspartates and glutamates; B is a peptide with a sequence comprising 5 to 20 consecutive basic amino acids; X is a linker; and M is a macromolecular carrier.

We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.