Peptide Bundle Assemblies With Click-Linked Structural Specificity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synthetic polymer materials lack the structural and chemical specificity found in natural proteins, limiting their ability to form controllable and programmable assemblies.

Innovation Solution

The development of non-natural macromolecular assemblies comprising peptide bundles linked by covalent linker moieties, utilizing click chemistry to create precise and customizable structures such as fibers and liquid crystals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If synthetic polymer materials are used, then limitless choices of chemical monomers and functionalization strategies are available, but structural and chemical specificity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical monomer choicesVSAvoidstructural specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the material into two distinct components: peptide bundles that provide structural specificity and synthetic polymer components that provide chemical versatility. The peptide bundles self-assemble into defined hierarchical structures (coiled coils, fibrils, fibers) while synthetic polymer side chains or crosslinkers provide customizable chemical functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between structural precision and chemical adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite materials combining natural peptide components with synthetic polymer components. The peptide bundles form the structural scaffold with precise geometry and hierarchy, while synthetic polymer elements (side chains, crosslinkers, or backbone components) provide chemical diversity and tunability, achieving both structural specificity and chemical versatility simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If natural proteins are used, then exquisite structure and function with spatial specificity are achieved, but programmability and synthetic customization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial specificityVSAvoidprogrammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different parts of the hybrid material. The peptide bundle core maintains natural protein properties (structural specificity, hierarchical assembly) while synthetic polymer components (side chains, terminus modifications, crosslinkers) provide programmable chemical functionality. This allows independent optimization of structural and chemical properties in different regions of the same material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables parameter changes by allowing systematic variation of synthetic polymer components (monomer type, side chain length, crosslinker density, molecular weight) while maintaining the peptide bundle structural framework. This provides tunable material properties (mechanical strength, flexibility, chemical reactivity) without compromising the programmed hierarchical assembly, achieving both spatial specificity and programmability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If peptide bundles are covalently linked to form macromolecular assemblies, then extreme material properties like ultra-stiffness and high strength are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming the peptide bundles into defined hierarchical structures (coiled coils, fibrils) before covalent assembly into macromolecular networks. The peptide bundles self-assemble into structurally optimized units with predetermined geometry and stability, which then serve as building blocks for covalent network formation. This pre-organization simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces complexity while achieving extreme material properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These assemblies exhibit extreme material properties like ultra-stiffness, high strength, and reversible deformation, enabling the creation of exotic materials with predetermined morphologies and functions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one peptide bundle comprises at least two peptides that are non-covalently associated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-covalent association: Cohesion

Implementation Method 2

the linker moiety comprises a reaction product of complementary click chemistry reactive functional groups on the peptide bundles covalently linked by the linker moiety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClick chemistry: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The assembly may be used as a component of, for example, liquid crystal materials and fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal formation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS12545707B2Peptidic macromolecular assemblies

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

AI summary

Provided is a non-natural macromolecular assembly that includes at least two peptide bundles and at least one linker moiety covalently linking the peptide bundles. The assembly may be used, for example, in liquid crystal materials and fibers.