Hierarchical assembly of tryptophan zipper peptides into stress-relaxing bioactive hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Soft materials in nature are formed through reversible supramolecular assembly of biological polymers into dynamic hierarchical networks. Rational design has led to self-assembling peptides with structural similarities to natural materials. However, recreating the dynamic functional properties inherent to natural systems remains challenging. Here we report the discovery of a short peptide based on the tryptophan zipper (trpzip) motif, that shows multiscale hierarchical ordering that leads to emergent dynamic properties. Trpzip hydrogels are antimicrobial and self-healing, with tunable viscoelasticity and unique yield-stress properties that allow immediate harvest of embedded cells through a flick of the wrist. This characteristic makes Trpzip hydrogels amenable to syringe extrusion, which

SUBMITTER: Nguyen AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10593748 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature