Poster 1: Cell and Tissue Studies

Rafael Castro

University of Delaware

Peptides, functionally encoded by their amino acid sequence, are increasingly being designed within the biomaterials community for creating mimics of the extracellular matrix found within human tissues. Collagen-like peptides have been designed to mimic parts of the structure and bioactivity of collagen I, the most prevalent protein in the human body and important in the structure and properties of many tissues. Recently, synthesis methods have been developed for self-assembling multifunctional collagen mimetic peptides (mfCMP) for the formation of synthetic matrices with robust and tunable properties. There remains a need for self-assembling peptides with tunable properties to better mimic and potentially replace natural collagen I, including matrix stiffening, stability, and bioactivity. I plan to design mfCMP sequences with reactive handles for triggering intra-fibrillar crosslinking and inducing matrix stiffening with light, building from an established polymer-peptide materials system. Next, I will design mfCMP sequences to assemble, stabilize, and stiffen purely peptide-based materials using light-activated inter- and intra-fibrillar crosslinking. Finally, I will design mfCMPs coassembled with integrin binding sequences and with tunable melting temperature for controlling material structure and biochemical content, creating a modular system of building blocks that has the potential to be a fully synthetic surrogate for natural collagen I.

Research Area: Design & Innovation