Responsive Hydrogels From the Intramolecular Folding and Self-Assembly of Designed Peptides.

摘要

The preparation of materials via molecular self-assembly allows one to define ultimate material properties by careful design of the individual constituent molecules. Characteristics such as material morphology, mechanical properties and processibility can be designed for at the molecular level. A hydrogelation system has been developed that is defined by the intramolecular folding and consequent self-assembly of a monomeric peptide. Importantly, peptides are designed such that the ultimate material properties are responsive to this intramolecular folding event.