Mimicking the extracellular world: from natural to fully synthetic matrices utilizing supramolecular biomaterials.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) has evolved around complex covalent and non-covalent interactions to create impressive function-from cellular signaling to constant remodeling. A major challenge in the biomedical field is the design and control of synthetic ECMs for applications ranging from tissue engineering to neuromodulation to bioelectronics. As we move towards recreating the ECM's complexity in hydrogels, the field has taken several approaches to recapitulate the main important features of the native ECM ( mechanical, bioactive and dynamic properties).

Collagen type I mimicking peptide additives to functionalize synthetic supramolecular hydrogels.

Small bioactive peptide sequences derived from extracellular matrix proteins possess the ability to interact with cell receptors. As such, these peptide additives are excellent mimics to develop materials for 3D cell culture. Two types of supramolecular modified collagen type I mimicking peptide additives are presented; UPy-GFOGER (39 amino acids), with a novel superstructure, and the more simplistic UPy-DGEA (7 amino acids).

Development of a Fully Synthetic Corneal Stromal Construct via Supramolecular Hydrogel Engineering.

Recent advances in the field of ophthalmology show great potential in the design of bioengineered constructs to mimic the corneal stroma. Hydrogels based on synthetic supramolecular polymers, are attractive synthetic mimics of the natural highly hydrated corneal stroma. Here, a fully synthetic corneal stromal construct is developed via engineering of an injectable supramolecular hydrogel based on ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) moieties.

Biomaterial screening of protein coatings and peptide additives: towards a simple synthetic mimic of a complex natural coating for a bio-artificial kidney.

Bio-artificial kidneys require conveniently synthesized membranes providing signals that regulate renal epithelial cell function. Therefore, we aimed to find synthetic analogues for natural extracellular matrix (ECM) protein coatings traditionally used for epithelial cell culturing. Two biomaterial libraries, based on natural ECM-coatings and on synthetic supramolecular small molecule additives, were developed.