li-facilecontrol-2017.pdf (1.65 MB)
Facile control over the supramolecular ordering of self-assembled peptide scaffolds by simultaneous assembly with a polysacharride
journal contribution
posted on 2017-07-06, 00:00 authored by Rui Li, Mitchell Boyd-Moss, Benjamin Long, A Martel, A Parnell, A J C Dennison, Colin BarrowColin Barrow, D R Nisbet, R J WilliamsEnabling control over macromolecular ordering and the spatial distribution of structures formed via the mechanisms of molecular self-assembly is a challenge that could yield a range of new functional materials. In particular, using the self-assembly of minimalist peptides, to drive the incorporation of large complex molecules will allow a functionalization strategy for the next generation of biomaterial engineering. Here, for the first time, we show that co-assembly with increasing concentrations of a highly charged polysaccharide, fucoidan, the microscale ordering of Fmoc-FRGDF peptide fibrils and subsequent mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogel can be easily and effectively manipulated without disruption to the nanofibrillar structure of the assembly.