HYDROGELS FORMED FROM POLYPEPTIDE MICELLES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

摘要

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to compositions, methods, and systems (e.g., platforms) comprising the same, the systems comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of micro- and macro-hydrogels that are formed from polypeptide micelles. The systems have enhanced mechanical properties that can be useful in a wide variety of applications, can be used for controlled release of drug-loaded micelles, and can be designed to reversibly assemble and disassemble on demand.

主权项

1. A hydrogel comprised of reversibly crosslinked micelles, the hydrogel comprising:
a. a plurality of a peptide polymer having a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, and a peptide metal binding sequence near a terminus of the hydrophilic portion, wherein the peptide polymer is in the form of a plurality of micelles having the hydrophobic portion at a core of the micelles and the metal binding sequence at a surface of the micelles; and b. a plurality of metal ions bound at the metal binding sequences, wherein the plurality of micelles are reversibly crosslinked through the bound metal ions.