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Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly
Published on: February 6, 2020
Controlling self-assembly of engineered peptides on graphite by rational mutation
Christopher R So1, Yuhei Hayamizu, Hilal Yazici
1Genetically Engineered Materials Science and Engineering Center, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
ACS Nano
|January 12, 2012
Summary
Short peptides self-assemble on surfaces, forming ordered nanostructures. Mutations control peptide assembly, enabling precise engineering of bio-solid interfaces for diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Protein self-assembly on surfaces is crucial for integrating biological functions with engineered materials.
- Controlling protein organization at bio-solid interfaces requires understanding sequence-structure relationships.
- Protein self-assembly presents significant engineering challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate that short dodecapeptides can self-assemble on graphite surfaces.
- To identify sequence domains that direct peptide ordering and nanostructure formation.
- To engineer peptides for controlled interfacial processes like binding, aggregation, and growth.
Main Methods:
- Phage display for peptide selection.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for nanostructure visualization.
- Contact angle measurements for surface property analysis.
Main Results:
- Selected dodecapeptides self-assemble into long-range-ordered biomolecular nanostructures on graphite.
- Three distinct amino acid domains within the peptide sequence were identified as key regulators of ordering.
- Engineered peptides exhibited controlled initial binding, surface aggregation, growth kinetics, and intermolecular interactions.
Conclusions:
- Short peptides can be effectively engineered for self-assembly into ordered nanostructures.
- Primary sequence tailoring offers versatile control over molecular self-assembly at bio-solid interfaces.
- This approach enables the creation of well-defined surface properties for engineered bio-solid interfaces.

