Novel collagen mimics are disclosed with a tripeptide unit having the formula (Xaa-Yaa-Gly).sub.n, where one of the positions Xaa or Yaa is a bulky, non-electron withdrawing proline derivative. By substituting a proline derivative at either the Xaa or Yaa position in the native collagen helix, the stability of the helix is increased due solely to steric effects relative to prior known collagen-related triple helices. Methods are also disclosed for making the novel collagen mimics.

Novel collagen mimics are disclosed with a tripeptide unit having the formula (Xaa-Yaa-Gly).sub.n, where one of the positions Xaa or Yaa is a bulky, non-electron withdrawing proline derivative. By substituting a proline derivative at either the Xaa or Yaa position in the native collagen helix, the stability of the helix is increased due solely to steric effects relative to prior known collagen-related triple helices. Methods are also disclosed for making the novel collagen mimics.

A modified gelatin comprising:

(a) lysine residues; and

(b) lysine residues comprising a pendent side chain carrying a thiol group;

wherein the modified gelatin comprises at least 50μmoles/g of component (b) and at least 450μmoles/g in total components (a) and (b). Also claimed are hydrogels, a process for making modified gelatins and kits comprising the modified gelatins and a crosslinking agent.

A modified gelatin comprising:

(a) lysine residues; and

(b) lysine residues comprising a pendent side chain carrying a thiol group;

wherein the modified gelatin comprises at least 50μmoles/g of component (b) and at least 450μmoles/g in total components (a) and (b). Also claimed are hydrogels, a process for making modified gelatins and kits comprising the modified gelatins and a crosslinking agent.

Methods and compositions are provided for the regeneration of articular cartilage by activating skeletal stem cells with a combination of (i) mechanical and (ii) biochemical stimulus. The mechanical stimulus can be an acute local injury. The biochemical stimulus can be a combination of an effective dose of a BMP2 activating agent and a VEGF inhibitor.

The present invention relates to a method for extracting collagen from a liposuction effluent, wherein collagen is extracted by treating a collagen-containing liposuction effluent in the presence of a supercritical fluid. According to the present invention, conventionally discarded collagen in a liposuction effluent can be extracted at high purity, and the extracted high purity collagen can be widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.

The present invention relates to a method for extracting collagen from a liposuction effluent, wherein collagen is extracted by treating a collagen-containing liposuction effluent in the presence of a supercritical fluid. According to the present invention, conventionally discarded collagen in a liposuction effluent can be extracted at high purity, and the extracted high purity collagen can be widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.

Disclosed is a method for controlling the Young’s modulus of a three-dimensional tissue containing cells and an extracellular matrix by adjusting the average diameter of an extracellular matrix in production of the three-dimensional tissue.

The present invention provides novels method of targeting delivery of a compound to hypoxic cells, for example treatment of diseases and disorders associated with hypoxia, comprising administration of a construct comprising a targeting carrier peptide and a compound for delivery to a hypoxic cell. The invention also provides novel methods for the treatment of diseases or disorders of the eye by administration of a novel construct, a nucleic acid encoding a novel construct, and/or a nucleic acid vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a novel construct. The invention further provides novel constructs, nucleic acids encoding such constructs, and/or nucleic acid vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding such constructs.

This disclosure provides a novel compositions and methods to deliver cyclosporine A using genetically engineered protein polymers.