Living organisms growth and release immobilized in an assembled dipeptide hydrogel

Self-assembled dipeptide hydrogel provides three-dimensional networks through noncovalent interactions for the embedment and the release of multiple biocomponents as well as for the growth of live cells. Here we demonstrate that Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as model organisms can be immobilized with significant vital signs in N-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) dipeptide hydrogel. With the controllability of dipeptide, assembly conditions for immobilization, growth and imaging of C. elegans were optimized. Compared with conventional anesthesia method, dipeptide hydrogel minimized unintended interferences for long-termed imaging. Particularly, nanofiber-based hydrogel can be diluted in solution as nanofiber dispersions alongside the release of C. elegans. By further analyzing the physiological phenotypes including basic growth, movement and reproduction once released from hydrogel, we confirmed the practicality and biocompatibility of Fmoc-FF hydrogel especially towards repeated immobilization and release of small-scaled living organisms, further broadening the scope of dipeptide hydrogel usage.