Controlled Peptide Capture and Release in 3D-Printed Multimaterial Microstructures

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• High-resolution two-photon laser printing (2PLP) enables complex 3D micro/nanostructure fabrication.
• Integrating engineered biomolecules into 3D-printed materials for stimuli-responsive functions is an underexplored area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for fabricating 3D-printed hydrogel microstructures with de novo designed heterodimeric coiled-coil peptides.
• To enable controlled peptide capture and release within these microstructures using external stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Covalently incorporated one coil strand into the 3D-printed hydrogel network.
• Fluorescently labelled the complementary coil strand for detection.
• Utilized orthogonal coiled-coil peptides to create multi-material microstructures with spatially resolved functionalization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated controlled assembly and disassembly of coiled-coil peptides within hydrogel microstructures.
• Achieved selective binding and programmable release of fluorescently labelled peptides triggered by pH, ionic strength, temperature, or competitors.
• Successfully fabricated multi-material microstructures with spatiotemporally controlled peptide capture and release.

Conclusions:

• First demonstration of using discrete, synthesizable peptides for 2PLP fabrication.
• Coiled-coil interactions serve as effective molecular handles for stimuli-responsive and reconfigurable hydrogel microstructures.
• Opens avenues for dynamic biomaterials, programmable drug delivery, and microscale biochemical engineering.