1450 Biocompatible hydrogels from self-assembling peptide fibres
There is intensifying interest in biocompatible hydrogels as smart biomaterials due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. They have potential applications as scaffolds in 3D cell culture and tissue engineering; controlled drug delivery; sensing and diagnostics; and even electrical or optical nano-scale devices. Bristol has developed a new approach to the rational design and engineering of biocompatible hydrogels based on self-assembled peptide fibres. The method enables engineering of desired hydrogel properties and control over the self-assembly and resorption processes.
Peptide fibres – US patent applied for; priority date 21.12.09
Protein structure and protein fibres – patents granted in US (7507790), Japan (2004-533672), UK France, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland (EP1534741); priority date 17.09.99
Fibre-shaping peptides – patents granted in US (7402599 and 7045537), Australia (783156), UK France, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland (EP1212356), and pending in Japan and Canada; priority date 06.09.02
For further details please contact: rosalind.darby@bristol.ac.uk