| abstract |
The present invention is directed to the formation of structures in situ through the principles of ligand binding. These structures are efficacious, for example, for tissue repair as well as for short- and long-term disease and condition management. According to one aspect of the invention, an injectable composition comprising self-assembling nanoparticles is provided. The self-assembling nanoparticles include: (a) a nanoparticle portion, (b) tissue binding ligands attached to the nanoparticle portion, which cause preferential binding and accumulation of the nanoparticles at one or more targeted tissue locations upon injection of the composition into the body, and (c) first and second interparticle binding ligands attached to the nanoparticle portion, which cause interparticle binding upon injection of the composition into the body. |