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Samuel I Stupp

Publications and source records attributed to Samuel I Stupp.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Peptide-amphiphile nanofibers: a versatile scaffold for the preparation of self-assembling materials.

Twelve derivatives of peptide-amphiphile molecules, designed to self-assemble into nanofibers, are described. The scope of amino acid selection and alkyl tail modification in the peptide-amphiphile molecules are investigated, yielding nanofibers varying in morphology, surface chemistry, and potential bioactivity. The results demonstrate the chemically versatile nature of this supramolecular system and its high potential for manufacturing nanomaterials. In addition, three different modes of self-assembly resulting in nanofibers are described, including pH control, divalent ion induction, and concentration.

Amino Acids↗

Enhanced oligonucleotide binding to self-assembled nanofibers.

A peptide nucleic acid/peptide amphiphile conjugate (PNA-PA) that self-assembles into fiber-shaped nanostructures was designed to bind oligonucleotides with high affinity and specificity. Oligonucleotide binding to PNA-PA nanofibers was studied using fluorescence polarization, and thermal stability was examined by UV-vis measurement of duplex melting temperatures. The self-assembled PNA-PA DNA system was observed to bind more strongly than the corresponding DNA-DNA duplex. We also observed single base specificity with a 16 degrees C in thermal stability. As expected from the previous PNA studies, PNA-PA RNA binding is also stronger than the corresponding RNA-RNA duplex.

Microscopy, Electron, Transmission↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of self-assembled biomaterial scaffolds.

Current interest in biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications have spurred research into self-assembling peptide amphiphiles (PAs). Nanofiber networks formed from self-assembling PAs can be used as biomaterial scaffolds with the advantage of specificity by the incorporation of peptide-epitopes. Imaging the materials noninvasively will give information as to their fate in vivo. We report here the synthesis and in vitro MR images of self-assembling peptide amphiphile contrast agents (PACAs) that form nanofibers. At 400 MHz using a 0.1 mM Gd(III) conjugate of the PA we observed a T(1) three times that of a control gel. The PA derivative was doped into various epitope bearing PA solutions and upon gelling resulted in a homogeneous biomaterial as imaged by MRI.

Biocompatible Materials↗