Chapter 6 - Peptide-based nanomaterials: applications and challenges

Abstract

Over the last few decades, advances in designing and synthesis of small molecule-based smart and functional materials have been an area of interest in the field of material science, biology, and chemistry. Among the different starting materials, peptides and peptide analogs have been utilized in the bottom-up nanofabrication technique to give rise to functional superstructures. Peptides offer inherent advantages like biocompatibility, chemical versatility, ease of synthesis, possibilities of chemical modifications, to mention a few. The self-assembly of these molecules is mostly mediated by noncovalent forces of interactions to produce superstructures with distinct physicochemical properties. Apart from nanofabrication, de novo, as well as the structure-based peptide designing strategy, has been utilized for a plethora of applications, including therapeutic options, bioremediation, and drug delivery, to name a few. In this article, we give an overview of molecular self-assembly, protein and peptide structure, and the different nanomaterials formed by peptides and peptide analogs. We also discuss the varied applications of these structures in biomedical, nanoelectronics and material science, current challenges, and future perspectives.