Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises ##STR00001##
wherein R is H or CH.sub.3, wherein R is NR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Described herein are therapeutic pH responsive compositions comprising a block copolymer and a therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of cancer.

The present invention provides amphiphilic telodendrimers that aggregate to form nanocarriers characterized by a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic exterior. The nanocarrier core may include amphiphilic functionality such as cholic acid or cholic acid derivatives, and the exterior may include branched or linear poly(ethylene glycol) segments. Nanocarrier cargo such as hydrophobic drugs and other materials may be sequester in the core via non-covalent means or may be covalently bound to the telodendrimer building blocks. Telodendrimer structure may be tailored to alter loading properties, interactions with materials such as biological membranes, and other characteristics.

Bolaamphiphilic compounds are provided according to formula I:

HG.sup.2-L.sup.1-HG.sup.1I

where HG.sup.1, HG.sup.2 and L.sup.1 are as defined herein. Provided bolaamphilphilic compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for delivering siRNA into animal or human cell.

The present invention relates to pH-tunable, highly activatable multicolored fluorescent nanoplatforms and methods of using the nanoplatforms in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, investigating fundamental cell physiological processes such as pH regulation in endocytic vesicles, endosome/lysosome maturation, and effect of pH on receptor cycling and trafficking of subcellular organelles.

Disclosed is an ultrasonically-enhanced continuous and large-scale production method for nano-formulations. Specifically disclosed is a preparation system for continuous production of nano-formulations, comprising (a) a first pipe, (b) a second pipe, (f) an ultrasonic device, (c) a combined pipe and (e) a (fluid) outlet thereof. The first pipe and the second pipe are connected to the combined pipe. A first phase solution enters the combined pipe through a first pipe outlet, and a second phase solution enters the combined pipe through a second pipe outlet. The ultrasonic device acts on the part or the whole of the combined pipe. The first phase solution and the second phase solution are turbulently mixed in the combined pipe to form a combined phase, and flow out through the outlet of the combined pipe.

Compositions comprising one or more nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles encapsulate fluorescence dyes are disclosed. In one embodiment, the nanoparticle comprises triterpene. In another embodiment, the nanoparticle comprises triterpene and fatty ester. Methods for performing a diagnostic or a therapeutic procedure comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of the compositions of the present invention or carbocyanine dyes are also provided.

Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises

##STR00001##

wherein R is H or CH.sub.3, wherein R is NR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

The present invention provides a nanocarrier having an interior and an exterior, the nanocarrier comprising at least one conjugate, wherein each conjugate includes a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer. Each conjugate also includes at least two amphiphilic compounds having both a hydrophilic face and a hydrophobic face. In addition, each conjugate includes an oligomer, wherein at least 2 of the amphiphilic compounds are covalently attached to the oligomer which is covalently attached to the PEG. The nanocarrier is such that each conjugate self-assembles in an aqueous solvent to form the nanocarrier such that a hydrophobic pocket is formed in the interior of the nanocarrier by the orientation of the hydrophobic face of each amphiphilic compound towards each other, and wherein the PEG of each conjugate self-assembles on the exterior of the nanocarrier.

The present invention provides a fluorescent molecular probe for efficient fluorescent detection (visualization) of tumors or for implementing fluorescent detection and photodynamic treatment, more specifically, the present invention provides a macromolecular fluorescent molecular probe for fluorescent detection of tumor, comprising a complex comprising a fluorescent molecule and a biocompatible macromolecule.