1
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Ginesi RE, Murray NR, Dalgliesh RM, Doutch J, Draper ER. Using Solution History to Control Hydrogel Properties of a Perylene Bisimide. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301042. [PMID: 37067953 PMCID: PMC10947066 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
pH dependence on water soluble aggregates is well-known in the field of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs), with different aggregates sometimes having very different properties depending on their final pH. This aggregation determines their applications and performance. Here, we investigate the pH dependence of perylene bisimide gels; initially solutions are formed at a high pH and gels form as the pH is decreased. We find it is not only the final pH but also the starting pH that can impact the resulting gel. We use small angle neutron scattering (SANS), rheology, 1 H NMR spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy to examine the effect of starting pH on gelation kinetics and final gel properties. Adjusting the solution from pH 9 (where there are few or no aggregates) to pH 6 results in the formation of different worm-like micelles than the ones directly formed at pH 6, leading to again gels with different mechanical properties. This work highlights the importance of controlling the pH of solutions before gelation, but also opens up more possible morphologies and therefore more properties from the same molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - James Doutch
- ISISRutherford Appleton LaboratoryChiltonOxfordshireOX11 0QXUK
| | - Emily R. Draper
- School of ChemistryUniversity of GlasgowGlasgow, UKG12 8QQUK
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2
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Bassan GA, Marchesan S. Peptide-Based Materials That Exploit Metal Coordination. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010456. [PMID: 36613898 PMCID: PMC9820281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-ion coordination has been widely exploited to control the supramolecular behavior of a variety of building blocks into functional materials. In particular, peptides offer great chemical diversity for metal-binding modes, combined with inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability that make them attractive especially for medicine, sensing, and environmental remediation. The focus of this review is the last 5 years' progress in this exciting field to conclude with an overview of the future directions that this research area is currently undertaking.
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3
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Binaymotlagh R, Chronopoulou L, Haghighi FH, Fratoddi I, Palocci C. Peptide-Based Hydrogels: New Materials for Biosensing and Biomedical Applications. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:ma15175871. [PMID: 36079250 PMCID: PMC9456777 DOI: 10.3390/ma15175871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Peptide-based hydrogels have attracted increasing attention for biological applications and diagnostic research due to their impressive features including biocompatibility and biodegradability, injectability, mechanical stability, high water absorption capacity, and tissue-like elasticity. The aim of this review will be to present an updated report on the advancement of peptide-based hydrogels research activity in recent years in the field of anticancer drug delivery, antimicrobial and wound healing materials, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering, and vaccines. Additionally, the biosensing applications of this key group of hydrogels will be discussed mainly focusing the attention on cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Binaymotlagh
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Chronopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Farid Hajareh Haghighi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Fratoddi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cleofe Palocci
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-991-3317
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4
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Patterson C, Dietrich B, Wilson C, Mount AR, Adams DJ. Electrofabrication of large volume di- and tripeptide hydrogels via hydroquinone oxidation. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1064-1070. [PMID: 35022641 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01626a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of protected peptide-based hydrogels on electrode surfaces can be achieved by employing the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone to benzoquinone, liberating protons at the electrode-solution interface. The localised reduction in pH below the dipeptide gelator molecules pKa initiates the neutralisation, self-assembly and formation of self-supporting hydrogels exclusively at the electrode surface. Previous examples have been on a nanometre to millimetre scale, using deposition times ranging from seconds to minutes. However, the maximum size to which these materials can grow and their subsequent mechanical properties have not yet been investigated. Here, we report the fabrication of the largest reported di- and tri-peptide based hydrogels using this electrochemical method, employing deposition times of two to five hours. To overcome the oxidation of hydroquinone in air, the fabrication process was performed under an inert nitrogen atmosphere. We show that this approach can be used to form multilayer gels, with the mechanical properties of each layer determined by gelator composition. We also describe examples where gel-to-crystal transitions and syneresis occur within the material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bart Dietrich
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Claire Wilson
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Andrew R Mount
- EastCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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5
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Nambiar M, Schneider JP. Peptide hydrogels for affinity-controlled release of therapeutic cargo: Current and potential strategies. J Pept Sci 2022; 28:e3377. [PMID: 34747114 PMCID: PMC8678354 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of devices for the precise and controlled delivery of therapeutics has grown rapidly over the last few decades. Drug delivery materials must provide a depot with delivery profiles that satisfy pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic requirements resulting in clinical benefit. Therapeutic efficacy can be limited due to short half-life and poor stability. Thus, to compensate for this, frequent administration and high doses are often required to achieve therapeutic effect, which in turn increases potential side effects and systemic toxicity. This can potentially be mitigated by using materials that can deliver drugs at controlled rates, and material design principles that allow this are continuously evolving. Affinity-based release strategies incorporate a myriad of reversible interactions into a gel network, which have affinities for the therapeutic of interest. Reversible binding to the gel network impacts the release profile of the drug. Such affinity-based interactions can be modulated to control the release profile to meet pharmacokinetic benchmarks. Much work has been done developing affinity-based control in the context of polymer-based materials. However, this strategy has not been widely implemented in peptide-based hydrogels. Herein, we present recent advances in the use of affinity-controlled peptide gel release systems and their associated mechanisms for applications in drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monessha Nambiar
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Joel P. Schneider
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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6
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Fortunato A, Mba M. Metal Cation Triggered Peptide Hydrogels and Their Application in Food Freshness Monitoring and Dye Adsorption. Gels 2021; 7:85. [PMID: 34287282 PMCID: PMC8293139 DOI: 10.3390/gels7030085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-ligand interactions have emerged as an important tool to trigger and modulate self-assembly, and to tune the properties of the final supramolecular materials. Herein, we report the metal-cation induced self-assembly of a pyrene-peptide conjugate to form hydrogels. The peptide has been rationally designed to favor the formation of β-sheet 1D assemblies and metal coordination through the Glu side chains. We studied in detail the self-assembly process in the presence of H+, Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Fe3+, and Cr3+ and found that the morphology and mechanical properties of the hydrogels are ion-dependent. Moreover, thanks to the presence of the metal, new applications could be explored. Cu2+ metallogels could be used for amine sensing and meat freshness monitoring, while Zn2+ metallogels showed good selectivity for cationic dye adsorption and separation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam Mba
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy;
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7
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Chivers PRA, Dookie RS, Gough JE, Webb SJ. Photo-dissociation of self-assembled (anthracene-2-carbonyl)amino acid hydrogels. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:13792-13795. [PMID: 33078185 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc05292b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids modified with an N-terminal anthracene group self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels upon the addition of a range of salts or cell culture medium. Gel-phase photo-dimerisation of gelators results in hydrogel disassembly and was used to recover cells from 3D culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R A Chivers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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8
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Zhang YL, Chang R, Duan HZ, Chen YX. Metal ion and light sequentially induced sol-gel-sol transition of a responsive peptide-hydrogel. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:7652-7658. [PMID: 32797141 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00442a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We developed a new responsive peptide hydrogel FmocFFpSC(oNB)-PEG, which could achieve gel formation induced by calcium ions and sequential dissolution stimulated by light. It provides a potential delivery system for the efficient encapsulation of drugs and their controlled release in a spatial and temporal way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Rong Chang
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Hua-Zhen Duan
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yong-Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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9
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Mondal S, Das S, Nandi AK. A review on recent advances in polymer and peptide hydrogels. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:1404-1454. [PMID: 31984400 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02127b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on the very recent developments on the use of the stimuli responsive properties of polymer hydrogels for targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing utilizing their different optoelectronic properties. Besides, the stimuli-responsive hydrogels, the conducting polymer hydrogels are discussed, with specific attention to the energy generation and storage behavior of the xerogel derived from the hydrogel. The electronic and ionic conducting gels have been discussed that have applications in various electronic devices, e.g., organic field effect transistors, soft robotics, ionic skins, and sensors. The properties of polymer hybrid gels containing carbon nanomaterials have been exemplified here giving attention to applications in supercapacitors, dye sensitized solar cells, photocurrent switching, etc. Recent trends in the properties and applications of some natural polymer gels to produce thermal and acoustic insulating materials, drug delivery vehicles, self-healing material, tissue engineering, etc., are discussed. Besides the polymer gels, peptide gels of different dipeptides, tripeptides, oligopeptides, polypeptides, cyclic peptides, etc., are discussed, giving attention mainly to biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery applications. The properties of peptide-based hybrid hydrogels with polymers, nanoparticles, nucleotides, fullerene, etc., are discussed, giving specific attention to drug delivery, cell culture, bio-sensing, and bioimaging properties. Thus, the present review delineates, in short, the preparation, properties, and applications of different polymer and peptide hydrogels prepared in the past few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjoy Mondal
- Polymer Science Unit, School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India.
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10
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Shao T, Falcone N, Kraatz HB. Supramolecular Peptide Gels: Influencing Properties by Metal Ion Coordination and Their Wide-Ranging Applications. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:1312-1317. [PMID: 32010800 PMCID: PMC6990441 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular gels have been an area of interest in many research fields. They provide a means to understand assembly of nanostructures, and through the use of amino acid- and peptide-based gelators they can give insights into the similar assembly pathways of their more complex structural counterparts. Bio-inspired metal coordination, such as histidine-copper coordination, in the supramolecular assembly of these gelators is one method for furthering our understanding and development of these materials. Metal-gelator coordination mimics biologically relevant metal-peptide coordination, thus influencing hydrogel self-assembly and mechanical properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, tunability, and recyclablity, while the metal coordination can functionalize the gels to allow for widespread applications in biomedical industries (e.g., drug delivery), waste management, and catalysis. This review aims to discuss recent insights into the supramolecular assembly of gels involving metal ions, as well as a few key areas of application using metal interactions and incorporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuimy Shao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6 Toronto, Canada
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4 Scarborough, Canada
| | - Natashya Falcone
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4 Scarborough, Canada
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, M5S 3E5 Toronto, Canada
| | - Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, M5S 3H6 Toronto, Canada
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, M1C 1A4 Scarborough, Canada
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, M5S 3E5 Toronto, Canada
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11
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Giuri D, Jurković L, Fermani S, Kralj D, Falini G, Tomasini C. Supramolecular Hydrogels with Properties Tunable by Calcium Ions: A Bio-Inspired Chemical System. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:5819-5828. [PMID: 35021575 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Boc-L-DOPA(OBn)2-OH is a simple synthetic molecule that promotes hydrogelation through electrostatic and π-π stacking interactions. Hydrogelation can occur in alkaline conditions by the use of triggers. Four hydrogels were prepared varying the base, NaOH or Na2CO3, and the trigger, GdL or CaCl2. When the hydrogel formed in the presence of Na2CO3 and CaCl2, the concomitant production of CaCO3 crystals occurred, generating an organic/inorganic composite material. It was observed that the hydrogel once self-assembled preserved its status even if the trigger, the calcium ions, was removed. The viscoelastic behavior of the hydrogels was analyzed through rheological experiments, which showed a solid-like behavior of the hydrogels. The corresponding xerogels were analyzed mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). They showed differences in structure, morphology, and fiber organization according to their source. This research presents a hydrogel system that can be applied as a soft biomaterial for tissue engineering, cosmetics, food, and environmental science. Moreover, it represents a model for biomineralization studies in which the hydrogel structure can act as an analogue of the insoluble matrix that confines the calcification site, provides Ca2+, and preserves its structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Giuri
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lara Jurković
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Simona Fermani
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Damir Kralj
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Tomasini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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12
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Draper ER, Adams DJ. Controlling the Assembly and Properties of Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrogelators. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:6506-6521. [PMID: 31038973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Low-molecular-weight gels are formed by the self-assembly of small molecules into fibrous networks that can immobilize a significant amount of solvent. Here, we focus on our work with a specific class of gelator, the functionalized dipeptide. We discuss the current state of the art in the area, focusing on how these materials can be controlled. We also highlight interesting and unusual observations and unanswered questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Draper
- School of Chemistry , University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 9AB , U.K
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry , University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 9AB , U.K
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13
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Farahani AD, Martin AD, Iranmanesh H, Bhadbhade MM, Beves JE, Thordarson P. Gel- and Solid-State-Structure of Dialanine and Diphenylalanine Amphiphiles: Importance of C⋅⋅⋅H Interactions in Gelation. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:972-983. [PMID: 30784156 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201801104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the role of the capping group in the solution and solid-state self-assembly of short peptide amphiphiles, dialanine and diphenylalanine have been linked via the N-terminus to a benzene (phenyl) and 3-naphthyl capping groups using three different methylene linkers; (CH2 )n , n=0-4 for the benezene and 0, 1 and 2 for the naphthalene capping group. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), oscillatory rheology, circular dichroism (CD), and IR analysis have been employed to understand the properties of these peptide-based hydrogels. Several X-ray structures of these short peptide gelators give useful conformational information regarding packing. A comparison of these solid state structures with their gel state properties yielded greater insights into the process of self-assembly in short peptide gelators, particularly in terms of the important role of C⋅⋅⋅H interactions appear to play in determining if a short aromatic peptide does form a gel or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas D Farahani
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Adam D Martin
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Hasti Iranmanesh
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mohan M Bhadbhade
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jonathon E Beves
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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14
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Cross ER, Adams DJ. Probing the self-assembled structures and pK a of hydrogels using electrochemical methods. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:1522-1528. [PMID: 30681698 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm02430h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The surface chemistry of the aggregated structures that form the scaffold in self-assembled hydrogels - their charge, hydrophobicity and ion-binding dynamics - plays an important role in determining the gel properties and the gel's suitability for specific applications. However, there are limited methods available for the study of this surface chemistry. Here, we show that electrochemical techniques can be used to measure the surface chemical properties of the self-assembled aggregate structures and also to determine the pKa of the gelators. We also provide a method to quickly determine whether a functionalised-dipeptide will form a gel or not. This method has scope for use in high-throughput screening and further complex pH-triggered self-assembled gelation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Cross
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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