Metallopeptide nanoreservoirs for concurrent imaging and detoxification of lead (Pb) from human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE1) cells.

Inspired by natural metallopeptides, our work focuses on engineering self-assembling nanostructures of -symmetric metallopeptide conjugates (MPC) from a pyridine-bis-tripeptide bioprobe that uniquely detects lead (Pb) ions by emitting a fluorescence signal at 450 nm, which is further intensified in the presence of DAPI ( = 458 nm), enhancing the bioimaging quality. This study enables precise lead quantification by modulating the ionic conformation and morphology. Experimental and theoretical insights elucidate the nanostructure formation mechanism, laying the groundwork for materials encapsulation and advancing lead detoxification.

Antimicrobial peptide mimetic minimalistic approach leads to very short peptide amphiphiles-gold nanostructures for potent antibacterial activity.

Strategically controlling concentrations of lipid-conjugated L-tryptophan (vsPA) guides the self-assembly of nanostructures, transitioning from nanorods to fibres and culminating in spherical shapes. The resulting Peptide-Au hybrids, exhibiting size-controlled 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures, show potential in antibacterial applications. Their high biocompatibility, favourable surface area-to-volume ratio, and plasmonic properties contribute to their effectiveness against clinically relevant bacteria.