SELF-ASSEMBLING ULTRASHORT ALIPHATIC CYCLIC PEPTIDES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

The invention relates to cyclic peptides of 3-9 amino acids comprising 2-7 aliphatic and 0-2 polar amino acids that are capable of self-assembling, wherein said aliphatic amino acids are arranged in decreasing hydrophobicity from N- to C-terminus and at least a portion of the cyclic peptide has to have its amino acids in alternating D- and L-configuration, as well as their use in hydrogels as well as co-gels or co-hydrogels. The hydrogels of the invention may be used in nanomedicine or drug delivery, cell culture or alternatively in electronic devices.