title: Recent trends in pH/thermo-responsive self-assembling hydrogels: from polyions to peptide-based polymeric gelators.
abstract: In this article, we highlight some recent developments in "smart" physical hydrogels achieved by self-assembling of block type macromolecules. More precisely we focus on two interesting types of gelators namely conventional ionic (or ionogenic) block copolymers and peptide-based polymers having as a common feature their responsiveness to pH and/or temperature which are the main triggers used for potential biomedical applications. Taking advantage of the immense skills of conventional block copolymer hydrogelators, namely macromolecular design, self-assembling mechanism, gel rheological properties, responsiveness to various triggers and innovative applications, the development of novel self-assembling gelators, integrating the new knowledge emerging from the peptide-based systems, opens new horizons towards bio-inspired technologies.
authors.affiliation: LUNAM Université, Université du Maine, IMMM-UMR CNRS 6283, Département Polymères, Colloides et Interfaces, av. O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Μans cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chassenieux
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsitsilianis
mesh_terms: D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D020100:Hydrogels; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers