Constructing Responsive Self-Assemblies Through Dynamic Disulphide Linkages

Abstract

My Ph.D. thesis focuses on the creation of short self-assembling peptide amphiphiles and polymer-based hydrogels, and coacervates to create several smart self-assembling systems. Cysteine have been purposefully included in the peptide backbone to provide redox responsiveness to the self-assembled systems. All peptides have a 'Lys-Cys' structural backbone, and Cysteine demonization plays an important role in self-assembly. Pyrene moiety was employed in two cases to add  staking and hydrophobicity into the self-assembly process. Two new Peptide and Peptide-Polymer-based composite hydrogels have been synthesized and have been used in various potential biological applications.