A system for targeted delivery of agents (e.g., molecular probes, diagnostic agents, therapeutic agents, imaging agents, research or analytical compounds, enzymes, peptides, proteins, lipids, lipoproteins, sugars, hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, viruses, bacteria, and/or cells) including use of a composition containing the agent and a targeting moiety, specific for a determinant at the target location. An exemplary composition of the system includes a targeting moiety of one of peptides γ3, 2γ3, 3γ3, A1, B7, B8, B9, B1O, and D6, specific for targeting ICAM-I. The system enables effective, versatile, and safe targeting and transport of agents. The system is useful in research applications, as well as in the context of translational science and clinical interventions.