title: Soft hydrogels from nanotubes of poly(ethylene oxide)-tetraphenylalanine conjugates prepared by click chemistry.
abstract: A new poly(ethylene oxide)-tetraphenylalanine polymer-peptide conjugate has been prepared via a "click" reaction between an alkyne-modified peptide and an azide-terminated PEO oligomer. Self-assembled nanotubes are formed after dialysis of a THF solution of this polymer-peptide conjugate against water. The structure of these nanotubes has been probed by circular dichroism, IR, TEM, and SAXS. From these data, it is apparent that self-assembly involves the formation of antiparallel beta-sheets and pi-pi-stacking. Nanotubes are formed at concentrations between 2 and 10 mg mL(-1). Entanglement between adjacent nanotubes occurs at higher concentrations, resulting in the formation of soft hydrogels. Gel strength increases at higher polymer-peptide conjugate concentration, as expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tzokova
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fernyhough
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Topham
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sandon
authors.forename: Dave J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Armes
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D002942:Circular Dichroism; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015394:Molecular Structure; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010649:Phenylalanine