Nanostructured Materials via Peptide Self-Assembly
We have proposed a new molecular architecture for self-assembled hydrogels of aromatic short peptide derivatives. These systems form nanotubular structures with dimensions that are dictated by the amino acid sequence and the chemical structure of the aromatic component. At high density, these tubular structures may form fibrous hydrogel networks that are exploited in the context of 3D cell culture (see below). In their dried form they form networks that are studied in the context of supramolecular electronics [unpublished work].
[1] A.M. Smith, R.J. Williams, C. Tang, P. Coppo, R.F. Collins, M.L. Turner, A. Saiani,
R.V. Ulijn, Fmoc-Diphenylalanine Self Assembles to a Hydrogel via a Novel
Architecture Based on Pi-Pi Interlocked Beta-Sheets, Adv. Mater., 2008, 20,
37-41.
[2] A.M. Smith, R.V. Ulijn, Designing Peptide Based Nanomaterials, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008, 37, 664-675.
[3] A.K. Das, R. Collins, R.V. Ulijn, Exploiting Enzymatic (Reversed) Hydrolysis
in Directed Self-Assembly of Peptide Nanostructures, Small, 2008, 4, 279-287.
[4] S. Toledano, R.J. Williams, V. Jayawarna, R.V. Ulijn. Enzyme triggered self-assembly of peptide hydrogels via reversed hydrolysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 1070-1071.
Peptide-Based Hydrogels for Cell Culture
Expectations for biomaterials are enormous, with great hope not only for improved medical devices and enhanced quality of life, but also in rationalising drug discovery and pharmaceutical development. We have focused on developing simple, cheap, yet functional peptide materials for 3D cell-culture with an emphasis on the in vitro context. Using rational design we have been able to match specific requirements of a range of cell types.