Biomolecules are naturally built with molecular-level features that allow them to achieve ordered architectures under physiological environments. The non-covalent interactions that drive such hierarchical assembly behavior can serve as an inspiration to enable the ordering of π-conjugated systems under physiologically-relevant conditions—offering the possibilities of creating adaptive and bioelectronic materials that are completely derived from organic components. In this presentation, self-assembling peptides functionalized with photoactive or optoelectronically-active π-conjugated systems are presented as tunable units that can form functional supramolecular structures in water. First, amino acid substitutions and positional variation in peptide moieties will be presented as a methodical approach to controlling H-bonding frameworks that drive the assembly needed by peptide-diacetylene monomers to undergo photopolymerization. These molecular design variations will be shown as an approach to systematically influence the secondary structure motif adapted by a specific peptide sequence, photophysical properties of assemblies due to the polydiacetylene region, and the resulting adhesive interactions with cells when peptide-polydiacetylene materials are used as a bioscaffold. Next, we show a fuel-driven approach to instruct peptide-appended oligothiophene units to be triggered to assemble and disassemble under completely aqueous environments. The sequence-dependence of this approach will also be discussed. Finally, strategies and prospects for fabrication of surface patterned peptide structures and their biointerfacing with excitable cells will be briefly discussed. In summary, this presentation will focus on fundamental molecular engineering approaches towards designing functional, ordered peptides as biomaterials bearing optoelectronically-active and stimuli-responsive components.

Unraveling instructional cues for designing the hierarchical order of optoelectronically-active peptide biomaterials

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

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