Self-assembly at the interface of λ-carrageenan and amphiphilic and cationic peptides: More than meets the eye.

Self-assembly of macroscopic membranes at the interface between self-assembling peptides and aqueous polymer solutions of opposite charge has been explored mostly due to the membranes' unique hierarchical structure of three distinct regions, including a layer of perpendicular fibers. We report here on the formation and characterization of self-assembled membranes made with λ-carrageenan and the cationic β-sheet peptides, Pro-Lys-(Phe-Lys)-Pro (PFK). Using SAXS, SEM, ITC, and rheology, we compared these membranes' morphology and physical properties to membranes made with alginate.