Polypeptide Nanomaterials

Synthetic polypeptides have emerged as biomaterials of great value in diverse applications. Polypeptides harness many of the desirable properties of native proteins, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and self-assembly properties, with the synthetic utility of traditional polymers. This chapter explores current research into the applications of N-carboxyanhydride (NCA)-derived polypeptides, and their hybrid materials, in the formation of assembled structures with broad biomedical applications. Particular attention has been focused on polypeptide materials at the nanoscale. Polypeptides have been utilized to form nanoparticles such as micelles, vesicles, and polyelectrolyte complexes that have found applications in the delivery of therapeutics. Similarly, self-assembled polypeptide-based hydrogels and layered polyelectrolyte assemblies have shown great promise in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. These biomaterials have also been utilized to mediate biomineralization processes to yield inorganic particles of a defined structure. Rod-like polypeptides have even been used as piezoelectric materials for application in sensors and energy harvesting and scavenging devices. Overall, the field of synthetic polypeptides is an emergent area of great interest due to the many favorable properties and applications of these biomaterials.