Dynamic microfluidic control of supramolecular peptide self-assembly

Zohar A. Arnon, Andreas Vitalis, Aviad Levin, Thomas C.T. Michaels, Amedeo Caflisch, Tuomas P.J. Knowles, Lihi Adler-Abramovich, Ehud Gazit

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The dynamic nature of supramolecular polymers has a key role in their organization. Yet, the manipulation of their dimensions and polarity remains a challenge. Here, the minimalistic diphenylalanine building block was applied to demonstrate control of nano-assemblies growth and shrinkage using microfluidics. To fine-tune differential local environments, peptide nanotubes were confined by micron-scale pillars and subjected to monomer flows of various saturation levels to control assembly and disassembly. The small-volume device allows the rapid adjustment of conditions within the system. A simplified kinetic model was applied to calculate parameters of the growth mechanism. Direct real-time microscopy analysis revealed that different peptide derivatives show unidirectional or bidirectional axial dimension variation. Atomistic simulations show that unidirectional growth is dictated by the differences in the axial ends, as observed in the crystalline order of symmetry. This work lays foundations for the rational control of nano-materials dimensions for applications in biomedicine and material science.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13190
JournalNature Communications
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Oct 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamic microfluidic control of supramolecular peptide self-assembly'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this