Mimics of the multi-hierarchical self-assembly of collagen are important synthetic targets both to gain a more thorough understanding of natural collagen fibrillogenesis as well as to make potential biomaterials for drug and cell delivery and a variety of tissue regeneration and restoration strategies. Recently we have described the self-assembly of a collagen mimetic system which undergoes self-assembly from peptide to triple helix to nanofibers and finally to hydrogels. In this presentation our most recent work to understand the general principles behind fiber control and formation will be described. Complementary charge pairs can be used to create sticky-ended triple helical structures that nucleate fiber formation. The fibers prepared are studied by electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and fiber diffraction.

Self-assembly of collagen-like biomimetic fibers: Designed sticky-ends through complementary charge pairs

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.