The present invention provides compositions comprising energy (e.g., light) absorbing submicron particles (e.g., nanoparticles comprising a silica core and a gold shell) and methods for delivering such particles via topical application. This delivery is facilitated by application of mechanical agitation (e.g. massage), acoustic vibration in the range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, and microjets. The method of treatment is performed and then, depending upon the desired clinical outcome, repeated after a treatment response interval has elapsed.

Disclosed are multi-compartmental nanoparticulate systems for imaging as well as the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of inflammation and/or disease. These multicompartmental nanoparticulate systems can be used to target specific cells or cellular structures. Furthermore, these systems are capable of simultaneous delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic compositions. Finally, these systems also allow for temporal control of drug delivery.

The present invention relates to reporter protein fusion antibodies, transgenic animals expressing the same, and methods of using the reporter protein fusion antibodies.

Surprisingly, electric fields can induce a dramatic response in soft materials made from nonconducting biopolymers. Capsules made from Alginate, Chitosan, and Gellan gum, all of which are charged polysaccharides and are biocompatible and biodegradable. Each capsule is formed by crosslinking biopolymer chains via physical (ionic/electrostatic) interactions. Under a DC electric field, the capsules rupture and disintegrate in a span of less than five minutes. The mechanism for the electroresponse is attributed to electrophoretic rearrangement of ions and/or polyelectrolyte chains in the capsule. Alginate capsules first swell anisotropically on their side closer to the anode (+ electrode). Cations migrate away from the anode, thereby lowering the crosslink density on that side. As further crosslinks are lost from the anode side, the capsule eventually breaks. A valve design utilizes an orifice that is blocked by a capsule and the valve is opened when the capsule is dislodged by the field.

Hair cells are exquisitely sensitive to auditory stimuli, but also to damage from a variety of sources including noise trauma and ototoxic drugs. Mammals cannot regenerate cochlear hair cells, while non-mammalian vertebrates exhibit robust regenerative capacity. To allow for the effective examination of this process disclosed herein is a design and method of utilizing a device capable of inducing acoustic trauma in the larval lateral line. The device uses ultrasonic transducers to induce cavitation wherein microbubbles form in the fluid medium inside the container. These bubbles oscillate and then implode, sending shockwaves into the fluid inside the well-plate containing the fish. The device emits a broadband signal with peak sound energy in the low-frequency range below 200 Hz, consistent with the response range of the larval lateral line.

The invention describes a new method for in vivo measurement and control of intraocular VEGF concentration using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) of a VEGF-binding biosensor. Furthermore, the method is suitable for highly sensitive in vitro determination of VEGF concentration from a small sample volume.

The invention provides nanocages, and in particular to protein nanocages, and especially ferritin nanocages. The invention extends to variant ferritin polypeptides and their encoding nucleic acids, mutant ferritin nanocages, and their uses in diagnostics and drug delivery, as well as in phenotypic screens in drug development.

Described herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modification of the surface of a living cell with a therapeutically relevant targeting moiety. Also described herein are methods for treating disease states, such as acute myocardial ischemia or infarction, with said compositions, in a subject.

The present invention relates to a targeting-type capsule for drug delivery systems. The present invention addresses the problem of providing a capsule for drug delivery systems by utilizing the reactivity of a thiol with an alkyl halide, wherein the capsule comprises a silole-containing carbosilane dendrimer and a labeling protein containing a target recognition site (e.g., green fluorescent protein), can include a biological polymer or another molecule therein, and can deliver the biological polymer or the like selectively into a target cell.

Described herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modification of the surface of a living cell with a therapeutically relevant targeting moiety. Also described herein are methods for treating disease states, such as acute myocardial ischemia or infarction, with said compositions, in a subject.