A macroporous polymeric hydrogel microsphere that contains poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan, and water. The hydrogel microsphere, having a diameter of 50-250 gm and a mesh size of 5-100 nm, is capable of transporting biomolecules conjugated to it. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the microsphere based on a micromolding technique utilizing surface tension-induced droplet formation followed by photo-induced polymerization.

The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent for targeted treatments. The system can include at least one microcapsule and a magnetic system. The microcapsule can include the therapeutic agent and a layer of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The therapeutic agent can be encapsulated by the layer of the IONPs that include a first type of nanoparticles and a second type of nanoparticles. The magnetic system can be configured to generate a magnetic field to control the motion of the microcapsule as well as to assemble into multi-capsule structure and control its motion. Assemblies of multiple microcapsules can be controlled simultaneously and directed to targeted areas for delivery of larger therapeutic payload.

The disclosure provides nanoparticle and nucleic acid compositions and methods of making and using the same to deliver multiple bioactive agents such as a nucleic acid encoding a viral antigen or a tumor antigen to a subject. Various nanoparticle carriers are described. Various nucleic acids encoding viral and tumor antigens are described. In some instances, the nanoparticle component may include a hydrophobic core having an inorganic particle, and optionally a membrane having a cationic lipid.

The present invention provides an improved process for lipid nanoparticle formulation and mRNA encapsulation. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a process of encapsulating messenger RNA (mRNA) in lipid nanoparticles comprising a step of mixing a suspension of preformed lipid nanoparticles and mRNA.

The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

The subject of this invention is a supramolecular (micellar system) with hydrophilic shell of linear aliphatic poly(ether) and hydrophobic core of perfectly branched poly(benzyl ether). The system can bind a broad variety of hydrophobic substances ranging from small spherical molecules to modestly large linear chains without the necessity of chemical bond formation. It is non-toxic and fully biocompatible.

Asymmetric bifunctional silyl (ABS) monomers comprising covalently linked pharmaceutical, chemical and biological agents are described. These agents can also be covalently bound via the silyl group to delivery vehicles for delivering the agents to desired targets or areas. Also described are delivery vehicles which contain ABS monomers comprising covalently linked agents and to vehicles that are covalently linked to the ABS monomers. The silyl modifications described herein can modify properties of the agents and vehicles, thereby providing desired solubility, stability, hydrophobicity and targeting.

This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for encapsulating biomaterials such as cells to prevent immune responses. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to capsules comprising a cell or cells gelled in alginate coated with a layer that prevents migration of immune molecules to the cell surface and an outer capsule layer comprising non-immunogenic material optionally containing immunosuppressive agents. In certain embodiments, the cells are capable of generating insulin that emanates from the capsule.

The present invention is a composition comprising a plurality of nanoparticles of at least one noble metal each coated with a plurality of linker molecules, at least some of which are attached to at least one of a plurality of glycosaminoglycan chains.

Novel siRNA and shRNA nanocapsules and delivery methods are disclosed herein. These siRNA and shRNA nanocapsules and delivery methods are highly robust and effective. This invention provides a platform for RNAi delivery with low toxicity and long intracellular half-life for practical therapeutic applications.