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Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
Published on: October 29, 2013
Supramolecular Hydrogels and Water Channels of Differing Diameters from Dipeptide Isomers
Ottavia Bellotto1, Erica Scarel1, Giovanni Pierri2
1Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
Abstract:
Dipeptides stereoisomers and regioisomers composed of norleucine (Nle) and phenylalanine (Phe) self-assemble into hydrogels under physiological conditions that are suitable for cell culture. The supramolecular behavior, however, differs as the packing modes comprise amphipathic layers or water channels, whose diameter is defined by either four or six dipeptide molecules. A variety of spectroscopy, microscopy, and synchrotron-radiation-based techniques unveil fine details of intermolecular interactions that pinpoint the relationship between the chemical structure and ability to form supramolecular architectures that define soft biomaterials.
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