title: Design of a hydrophobic tripeptide that self-assembles into amphiphilic superstructures forming a hydrogel biomaterial.
abstract: We report the rational design of a heterochiral hydrophobic tripeptide self-assembling into amphiphilic d-superstructures that yield a self-supportive hydrogel at physiological pH. The material endures cell culture conditions and sustains fibroblast proliferation. Tripeptide superstructures are thoroughly analysed by several techniques.
authors.affiliation: University of Cagliari, Department of Physics, S. P. Monserrato-Sestu Km. 0.700, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Vargiu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Styan
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Waddington
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Easton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marchesan
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015195:Drug Design; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000072757:Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D009842:Oligopeptides