The Rheological and Structural Properties of Fmoc-Peptide-Based Hydrogels: The Effect of Aromatic Molecular Architecture on Self-Assembly and Physical Characteristics

Abstract

Biocompatible hydrogels are of high interest as a class of biomaterials for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and controlled drug delivery. These materials offer three-dimensional scaffolds to support the growth of cells and development of hierarchical tissue structures. Fmoc-peptides were previously demonstrated as attractive building blocks for biocompatible hydrogels. Here, we further investigate the biophysical properties of Fmoc-peptide-based hydrogels for medical applications. We describe the structural and thermal properties of these Fmoc-peptides, as well as their self-assembly process. Additionally, we study the role of interactions between aromatic moieties in the self-assembly process and on the physical and structural properties of the hydrogels.