​Peptide bioink: self-assembling nanofibrous scaffolds for 3d organotypic cultures

Printable scaffolds with adequate mechanical strength and stiffness are sought after to ensure viability of printed cells and tissues. We report the first peptide bioinks-lysine-containing hexapeptides that self-assemble into stable, nanofibrous three-dimensional hydrogels with unprecedented stiffness of up to 40 kPa. These biocompatible scaffolds support the three-dimensional culture of human stem cells and differentiation of primary cells into organotypic (gastrointestinal and skin) structures for high-throughput screening, diagnosis, and tissue engineering.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02859

Bioprinting Nanofibrous scaffold Peptide bioink Smart biomaterials Stimuli-responsive self-assembly Ultrashort peptides