Three-dimensionally printable shear-thinning triblock copolypeptide hydrogels with antimicrobial potency
Robert D. Murphy, Shadi Kordbacheh, Dimitrios Skoulas, Simon K. K. Ng, Kasinan Suthiwanich, Andrea M. Kasko, Sally‐Ann Cryan, Deirdre Fitzgerald‐Hughes, Ali Khademhosseini, Amir Sheikhi, Andreas Heise
Abstract
Through rational design, block sequence controlled triblock copolypeptides comprising cysteine and tyrosine as well as a lysine or glutamic acid central block are devised. In these copolypeptides, each block contributes a specific property to the hydrogels to render them extrusion printable and antimicrobial. Three-dimensional (3D) printing of complex hydrogel structures with high shape retention is demonstrated. Moreover, composition dependent potent antimicrobial activity in contact-killing assays is elucidated.
Topics & Concepts
Self-healing hydrogelsAntimicrobialChemistryBlock (permutation group theory)Glutamic acidCysteineTyrosineLysinePotencyBiophysicsAmino acidPolymer chemistryBiochemistryIn vitroBiologyOrganic chemistryGeometryMathematicsEnzyme3D Printing in Biomedical ResearchSilk-based biomaterials and applicationsAdditive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies