Constructing biomaterials using self-assembling peptide building blocks

Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and has recently emerged as a new bottom-up approach in constructing biomaterials. Synthetic peptides assemble through specific molecular recognition and form diverse nanostructures. The resulting versatile peptide self-assemblies may be used in a wide range of biological and medical applications. Examples of two self-assembling peptide systems are presented and techniques for self-assembly control are discussed. © 2010 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.