Multi-step self-assembly of natural collagen fibers is an inspiring example to a supramolecular chemist. For a variety of medical applications, e.g. in tissue engineering, a general methodology of designing synthetic collagen mimetic fibers is desirable. We have recently described the usage of inter-peptide salt-bridges in collagen triple helix as a keystone interaction in the design of non-canonical staggered triple helices, which are capable of fibrillogenesis. In our presentation we discuss a new, widely applicable route to the design of collagen mimetic nanofibers. We describe the design of an infinite triple helix stabilized by inter-peptide charge pairs, through the hybridization of multiple collagen mimetic peptides, which later form fiber bundles. Triple helical hybridization is demonstrated by circular dichroism experiments. We also present evidence of fiber formation in the system by microscopy techniques. Our study should be a starting point for further biomimetic collagen fiber design.

Self-assembly of collagen mimetic nanofibers through triple-helical hybridization

249th National Meeting (2015)

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