Tubular conduits are provided which have an outer surface and/or an inner surface functionalized with at least one antimicrobial peptide having the sequence X.sub.1X.sub.2WVX.sub.3IWVX.sub.4X.sub.5, wherein X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4 and X.sub.5 are independently selected from K and R and wherein each amino acid is independently in the D or L configuration, or a salt or solvate thereof. The tubular conduits are preferably made of biodegradable polymeric material. The functionalization of the tubular conduits with the at least one antimicrobial peptide prevents contamination caused by Gram negative bacteria, Gram positive bacteria, fungi, yeasts and/or viruses.

A catheter is disclosed comprising a sheath surrounding an inner lumen. The inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid. The sheath includes a sheath portion that comprises a hydrophilic material, wherein the hydrophilic material is in direct contact with the fluid. The hydrophilic material helps resist formation of air bubbles along the inner lumen.

Compositions comprising an isolated peptide, which may for example optionally comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of YDYNWY (SEQ ID NO: 1), YDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 2), FDYNFY (SEQ ID NO: 3), FDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 4), FDYNWY (SEQ ID NO: 5), YDWNLY (SEQ ID NO: 6), YDWHLY (SEQ ID NO: 7), and WDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 8), extracted from organisms such as aquatic organisms and moss or any other sequence described herein, and methods of using same, including for treatment of or prevention of formation of microbial biofilms and against adhesion of a cell to a surface.

The present invention relates to the field of antimicrobial agents active against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising the CHAP domain of LysK endolysin, the M23 endopeptidase domain of lysostaphin, the cell wall binding domain (CBD) of ALE-1, and a further peptide selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial peptide, an amphipathic peptide, a cationic peptide, a hydrophobic peptide, a sushi peptide and a defensin. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, vectors comprising such nucleic acids, and corresponding host cells, compositions and devices. Finally, the present invention relates to applications of the inventive polypeptides, in particular in the pharmaceutical field.

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

Compositions comprising a protein or isolated peptide, and methods using the same for preventing, dispersing or detaching a biofilm, are disclosed.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for making resorbable ear tubes including the steps of providing a silk fibroin solution, and forming a silk ear tube from the silk fibroin solution, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbable. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for treating otitis media including the step of introducing a silk ear tube into the ear canal of a subject, wherein the silk ear tube is less than 2 mm in length and has an outer diameter of less than 1.5 mm, and wherein the silk ear tube is resorbed by the subject.

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

Generally, the invention is in relation to the field of drug delivery devices to augment standard radiation therapy and methods of making and using same. Specifically, this technology utilizes a controlled release of drug from a coated balloon for local intratumoral drug delivery to breast tissue to supplement or replace standard radiation therapy.

The present invention disclosed a process to coat the surface of flexible polymeric implant with biocompatible polymer such that the coating does not crack when the implant is subjected to mechanical forces such as tension, torsion or bending while retaining the inherent properties of the coated polymer.