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Tuning the mechanical and morphological properties of self-assembled peptide hydrogels via control over the gelation mechanism through regulation of ionic strength and the rate of pH change
journal contribution
posted on 2015-01-01, 00:00 authored by Rui Li, C C Horgan, Benjamin Long, A L Rodriguez, L Mather, Colin BarrowColin Barrow, D R Nisbet, Richard WilliamsRichard WilliamsHydrogels formed by the self-assembly of peptides are promising biomaterials. The bioactive and biocompatible molecule Fmoc-FRGDF has been shown to be an efficient hydrogelator via a π-β self-assembly mechanism. Herein, we show that the mechanical properties and morphology of Fmoc-FRGDF hydrogels can be effectively and easily manipulated by tuning both the final ionic strength and the rate of pH change. The increase of ionic strength, and consequent increase in rate of gelation and stiffness, does not interfere with the underlying π-β assembly of this Fmoc-protected peptide. However, by tuning the changing rate of the system's pH through the use of glucono-δ-lactone to form a hydrogel, as opposed to the previously reported HCl methodology, the morphology (nano- and microscale) of the scaffold can be manipulated.
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Journal
RSC advancesVolume
5Issue
1Pagination
301 - 307Publisher
Royal Society of ChemistryLocation
Cambridge, Eng.Publisher DOI
eISSN
2046-2069Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2015, Royal Society of ChemistryUsage metrics
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