Sugar Chain-Polypeptide Complex Hydrogel for Broad pH Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biogels, both of biological and chemical origin, face challenges such as infection risks, immunogenicity, complexity in operation, limited solubility, and applicability issues due to pH-dependent solubility, particularly in the neutral pH range relevant for biological applications like surgery.
Innovation Solution
A sugar chain-polypeptide complex is developed, where a polypeptide with alternating polar and nonpolar amino acid residues is bound to one or more sugar chains, forming a hydrogel with high water-solubility and transparency across a broad pH range, including neutral pH, through self-assembly into a β sheet structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biogels of biological origin are used, then high utility value is achieved, but risks of infection and immunogenicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs synthetic peptides that can be manufactured as single-use, sterile products. These synthetic biogels replace biological origin materials that carry infection risks, providing a disposable alternative that eliminates the need for complex sterilization while maintaining high utility value in applications like hemostasis and tissue engineering.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical synthesis is used to manufacture biogels, then infection risk is eliminated, but operational complexity increases due to multiple procedures required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gel formation process into distinct functional components within the peptide structure itself. The peptide contains separate domains: one that provides solubility control, another that enables self-assembly, and a third that provides the desired biological function. This segmentation allows the material to automatically perform multiple functions without requiring complex external procedures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the benefits of chemical synthesis.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional biogels are used, then gel formation is achieved, but solubility is limited in neutral pH range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the peptide structure, specifically incorporating amino acid sequences with alternating polar and nonpolar residues that change their conformational state based on pH. At neutral pH, the peptide maintains high solubility through electrostatic repulsion between charged residues. Upon pH change or ionic strength variation, the peptide undergoes a controlled transition to form gels. This parameter-based control allows tuning of both solubility and gelation properties independently.
4Stability of the object's composition
If biogels require buffer exchange or substitution procedures, then gel formation is achieved, but operation becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the peptide to perform self-service functions: the peptide automatically regulates its own solubility and gelation behavior based on environmental conditions without requiring external buffer exchanges or substitutions. The built-in pH-responsive elements and self-assembly domains enable the material to transition from soluble to gel state directly in the application site, eliminating time-consuming laboratory procedures and enabling direct clinical use.
5Stability of the object's composition
If low solubility biogels are used, then gel structure is formed, but transparency and visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes to achieve a unique state where the gel maintains high transparency. By carefully controlling the peptide concentration, pH, and ionic strength, the gel forms a homogeneous network structure without micelle formation or phase separation that would cause opacity. The alternating polar-nonpolar amino acid sequence ensures uniform distribution and prevents aggregation, allowing light transmission while maintaining gel integrity and structural stability.
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
The sugar chain-polypeptide complex forms a uniform and transparent hydrogel, reducing operational complexity, enhancing solubility and applicability, and minimizing antigenicity and toxicity risks, making it suitable for various biological applications including hemostasis and controlled release.
Implementation Method 1
the sugar chain-polypeptide complex may form a hydrogel comprising a β sheet structure by self-assembly in an aqueous solution
Implementation Method 2
forms a transparent and homogeneous hydrogel in a broad pH range... by self-assembly into a β sheet structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a sugar chain-polypeptide complex that may form a transparent and homogeneous hydrogel in a broad pH. The present invention provides a sugar chain-polypeptide complex, characterized in that said polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of 8 - 34 amino acid residues in which polar and nonpolar amino acid residues are alternately arranged, and one or more sugar chains are bound to said polypeptide.