Peptide-directed self-assembly of hydrogels.

This review focuses on the self-assembly of macromolecules mediated by the biorecognition of peptide/protein domains. Structures forming alpha-helices and beta-sheets have been used to mediate self-assembly into hydrogels of peptides, reactive copolymers and peptide motifs, block copolymers, and graft copolymers. Structural factors governing the self-assembly of these molecules into precisely defined three-dimensional structures (hydrogels) are reviewed. The incorporation of peptide motifs into hybrid systems, composed of synthetic and natural macromolecules, enhances design opportunities for new biomaterials when compared to individual components.