The invention relates to agents that inhibit the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to SDCs or the endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2 with SDCs for use in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and/or the SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory response. The invention relates further on to a method of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2, and the SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory response comprising contacting the SARS-CoV-2 target cells with an agent that inhibits the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to SDC or the endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2 with SDCs. The agent as SDC-specific mono- or polyclonal antibody used may be a. an antibody specific for the human SDC isoforms (SDC1, -2, -3, -4), or b. as SDC-specific peptides, peptide ligands that interact with the extracellular domain of human SDC isoforms (SDC1, -2, -3, -4), such as TAT (amino acid sequence YGRKKRRQRRR), penetratin (amino acid sequence RQIKIWFQNRRMKW), polyarginine (amino acid sequence RRRRRRRR) and their analogs of at least four amino acids in length, synthesized from D-, L- or other amino acid derivatives, or peptides and peptidomimetics interacting with the glycosaminoglycan side chains of SDCs, containing the conserved heparin-binding motif, PRRAR, or analogs of at least four amino acids in length, synthesized from D-, L- or other amino acid derivatives or conjugates of the former with other active agents and carriers (liposomes and other polymeric nanoparticles); or c. as SDC specific low- and high-molecular-weight ligands, any agents capable of binding to the extra- and intracellular domains of SDC, including the glycosaminoglycan side chains of SDCs; or d. as agents derived from SDCs, recombinant proteins derived from the extra- and intracellular domains of human SDC isoforms (SDC1, -2, -3, -4) and analogs synthesized from D-, L- or other amino acid derivatives of at least 4 amino acids in length, and derivatives of glycosaminoglycan side chains and glycosaminoglycan analogs of human SDC isoforms (SDC1, -2, -3, -4); or e. as agents reducing the expression of SDCs, nucleic acid-based agents capable of reducing the expression of SDCs and their conjugates and complexes packaged in viral and non-viral carriers (liposomes and other polymeric nanoparticles); or f. as agents containing the conserved intracellular domain of SDCs peptides, peptidomimetics and recombinant proteins of at least four amino acids in length, synthesized from D-, L- or other amino acid derivatives containing the sequence of any conserved region of the intracellular domain of human SDC isoforms (SDC1, -2, -3, -4); or g. as an inhibitor of endocytosis of syndecans, low molecular weight agents

Provided herein is technology relating to anticoagulant therapies and particularly, but not exclusively, to anticoagulant compositions for localized and targeted administration and related methods and kits for treatment of a subject with a localized and targeted anticoagulant therapy.

A rotary engine that generates electricity using differences in relative humidity. A water-responsive material expands and contracts as water evaporates which drives the rotation of two wheels. The rotary motion drives an electrical generator which produces electricity. In another embodiment, the water-responsive material is used to actuate an artificial muscle of a robotic device.

Affinity purification of platelet-derived growth factor-binding heparan sulphate from porcine mucosa (HS6) is disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of HS6 in repair and regeneration of the skin for treating wounds, burns, ulcers and other skin injuries.

The invention provides a process for the reductive amination of a carbonyl group at the reducing terminus of a polysaccharide, wherein the reductive amination is carried out at a pH between 4 and 5. The invention also provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) coupling the polysaccharide to a linker, to form a polysaccharide-linker compound in which the free terminus of the linker is an ester group; and (b) reacting the ester group with a primary amine group in the carrier molecule, to form a polysaccharide-linker-carrier molecule conjugate in which the linker is coupled to the carrier molecule via an amide linkage. The invention also provides a process for reducing contamination of a polysaccharide-linker compound with unreacted linker, comprising a step of precipitating unreacted linker under aqueous conditions at a pH of less than 5. The invention also provides polysaccharide-linker-carrier molecule conjugates and intermediate compounds obtained or obtainable by these processes.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for regenerating tissue using a modular scaffold having a gradient of enzymatic degradability. The disclosure further relates to scaffolds made of microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof.

Provided herein is technology relating to anticoagulant therapies and particularly, but not exclusively, to anticoagulant compositions for localized and targeted administration and related methods and kits for treatment of a subject with a localized and targeted anticoagulant therapy.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for regenerating tissue using a modular scaffold having a gradient of enzymatic degradability. The disclosure further relates to scaffolds made of microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for regenerating tissue using a modular scaffold having a gradient of enzymatic degradability. The disclosure further relates to scaffolds made of microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof.

The invention provides a process for the reductive amination of a carbonyl group at the reducing terminus of a polysaccharide, wherein the reductive amination is carried out at a pH between 4 and 5. The invention also provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) coupling the polysaccharide to a linker, to form a polysaccharide-linker compound in which the free terminus of the linker is an ester group; and (b) reacting the ester group with a primary amine group in the carrier molecule, to form a polysaccharide-linker-carrier molecule conjugate in which the linker is coupled to the carrier molecule via an amide linkage. The invention also provides a process for reducing contamination of a polysaccharide-linker compound with unreacted linker, comprising a step of precipitating unreacted linker under aqueous conditions at a pH of less than 5. The invention also provides polysaccharide-linker-carrier molecule conjugates and intermediate compounds obtained or obtainable by these processes.