Hierarchical Self-Organization from Cyclic Peptide

Abstract

Our research group is implicated on the design and synthesis of supramolecular structures based on self-assembling cyclic peptides, particularly alpha,gamma-cyclic peptides (CPs). Most of these structures: dimer, nanotubes, fiber, etc, are based on beta-sheet type interactions. The CPs form structures that have allowed preparing a large variety of structures with applications in ion channels, electron and energy transfer process, molecular tweezers and so on. Here, we present the formation of spheres, hollow spheres, fibers, bars, etc. by a hierarchical supramolecular process from alpha,gamma-cyclic peptides with pyridine derivate ligands attached to one of its side chains, that additionally, are able to coordinate metals (Cu, Pd, etc.), entrap molecules, etc. which give to these structures a great potential for catalysis and drug delivery