Bioinspired Reductionistic Peptide Engineering for Exceptional Mechanical Properties

Avinash, MB and Raut, Devaraj and Mishra, Manish Kumar and Ramamurty, Upadrasta and Govindaraju, T (2015) Bioinspired Reductionistic Peptide Engineering for Exceptional Mechanical Properties. In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 5 .

PDF Sce_Rep_5_16070_2015.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

A simple solution-processing and self-assembly approach that exploits the synergistic interactions between multiple hydrogen bonded networks and aromatic interactions was utilized to synthesize molecular crystals of cyclic dipeptides (CDPs), whose molecular weights (similar to 0.2 kDa) are nearly three orders of magnitude smaller than that of natural structural proteins (50-300 kDa). Mechanical properties of these materials, measured using the nanoindentation technique, indicate that the stiffness and strength are comparable and sometimes better than those of natural fibres. The measured mechanical responses were rationalized by recourse to the crystallographic structural analysis and intermolecular interactions in the self-assembled single crystals. With this work we highlight the significance of developing small molecule based bioinspired design strategies to emulate biomechanical properties. A particular advantage of the successfully demonstrated reductionistic strategy of the present work is its amenability for realistic industrial scale manufacturing of designer biomaterials with desired mechanical properties.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Publisher:	NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, MACMILLAN BUILDING, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2015 06:01
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2015 06:01
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/52803

Actions (login required)

View Item