Color-Tunable Fluorescent Hierarchical Nanoassemblies with Concentration-Encoded Emission

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Cephalopods exhibit dynamic iridescence through chromatophores and reflectin.
• Existing cephalopod iridescence is limited in darkfield conditions.
• A need exists for color-tunable fluorescent nanoassemblies with concentration-encoded emission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a bioavailable fluorophore with dynamic coloration properties.
• To create self-assembled hierarchical nanoassemblies exhibiting fluorescent iridescence.
• To explore concentration-encoded, tunable, and reversible fluorescence emission.

Main Methods:

• Design of a histidine-rich peptide capable of self-assembly.
• Hierarchical nanoassembly formation stabilized by hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking.
• Characterization of assembly-induced emission across the blue to orange spectrum.

Main Results:

• Peptidyl nanoassemblies demonstrated fluorescent iridescence via assembly-induced emission.
• Fluorescence emission was color-tunable and reversible, controlled by peptide concentration.
• Development of fluorescent polychromatic human cells using the histidine-rich peptides.

Conclusions:

• Histidine-rich peptides can form tunable, fluorescent hierarchical nanoassemblies.
• The concentration-encoded emission provides dynamic coloration control.
• Potential applications include bioimaging, implantable light-emitting diodes, and photochromic camouflage.