Disclosed are nanostructures such as carboxysomes that encapsulate RubisCO and carbonic anhydrase to provide a protected environment to maximize CO.sub.2 assimilation. Conditions are disclosed were RubisCO can be sequestered into a variety of self-assembling nanotubes. The encapsulated protein was enzymatically active and was clearly associated with the nanotubes and removed from solution based on a number of criteria. These nanostructures were also found to enhance the stability of RubisCO toward proteases and other environmental factors. These structures can be used in scalable CO.sub.2 conversions and other processes.

The present invention relates to a microbubble complex comprising a microbubble having an outer shell comprising a mixture of native and denatured albumin encapsulating a perfluorocarbon gas, a therapeutic agent, a bifunctional linker having one end attached to the therapeutic agent and the other attached to a ligand and wherein the ligand is bound to the other shell of the microbubble through hydrophobic interactions. Also included are methods for delivering the aforementioned microbubble complex to a tissue target.

Provided is a theranostic bubble preparation which makes it possible to diagnose and treat a tissue of interest by the irradiation with ultrasound such as diagnostic ultrasound and low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound. The theranostic bubble preparation comprises: a coating film comprising a lipid; and a gas enclosed in an inner cavity formed in the coating film. The coating film comprises an anionic lipid made from distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), distearoylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG.sub.2000). The gas and the mixed gas comprises perfluoropropane or perfluorobutane.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions, methods, and kits comprising shape memory particles that can be used for delivering a drug and/or treating a disease or disorder in a patient. Specifically, shape changes in the presently disclosed shape memory particles can be used to control drug delivery spatially and/or temporally in a patient. Also provided are compositions, methods, and kits comprising nanoparticles and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) inhibitors with or without chemotherapeutic agents for inhibiting HIF activity in a patient and/or treating a hypoxia-associated disease or disorder.

Described herein are self-assembling protein molecules for delivering a payload, for example, a toxic anti-cancer agent, a cancer immunotherapy, a toxic anti-cancer agent and a cancer immunotherapy, or an imaging agent, to specific tissues. Examples of self-assembled proteins include clathrin and derivatives of clathrin.

The present invention relates to: oral nanoparticles for enabling oral administration of a bioactive compound which is typically administered by injection due to having low bioavailability attributable to issues with solubility, disintegration in the digestive tract, and intestinal permeability; a method of formulating the oral nanoparticles; and a use of the oral nanoparticles. In addition, the present invention relates to: oral nanoparticles capable of maintaining or protecting the balance in the gut microbiome by minimizing the exposure of the gut microbiome to a bioactive compound; a formulation; and a use of same.

Compositions and methods for improved delivery of active agents to the brain are provided. The compositions typically include a nanocarrier, such as a polymeric nanoparticle, liposome, or nanolipagel or are in the form of a conjugate. The nanocarriers or conjugates typically include three components: a targeting moiety; a blood brain barrier blood-brain barrier modulator (BBB modulator), loaded into, attached to the surface of, and/or enclosed within a nanocarrier; and an additional active agent loaded into, attached to the surface of, and/or enclosed within a nanocarrier. The targeting moiety, which is typically conjugated to or otherwise dismodulator played on the surface of the nanocarrier, can be, for example, a moiety that preferentially or specifically targets brain cells or tissue, cancer cells, or a combination thereof.

A nano-composition and a method of using the composition. The composition includes nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle includes a shell encapsulating lycopene. The shell includes oligomerized ()-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (OEGCG) electrostatically bonded to chitosan. The method of using the composition includes administering the nano-composition to a human being.

The present invention provides a biodegradable precision polymer system (poly system) and methods for preparing pharmaceutically effective precision polymer nanosystems (polymer nanosystem) for delivery and/or targeting of drugs or drug like compounds.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for providing controllable local delivery of a therapeutic agent to promote bone formation. In certain embodiments, the invention is used as a treatment for a subject with osteoporosis, bone cancer or bone fracture. The invention provides a therapeutic agent that is tethered to a polymer to form a therapeutic-tethered macromer, where the therapeutic agent is controllably released from the conjugate by degradation of the tether. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent is an inhibitor of GSK3. In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention is specifically targeted to a site in need of bone formation.