Short description:

This book introduces readers to the theory and mechanisms of peptide self-assembly processes. The authors present the more common peptide self-assembled building blocks and discuss how researchers from different fields can apply self-assembling principles to bionanotechnology applications. The advantages and challenges are mentioned together with examples that reflect the state of the art of the use of self-assembled peptide building blocks in nanotechnology.

Long description:

The self-organization of bionanostructures into well-defined functional machineries found in nature has been a priceless source of ideas for researchers. The molecules of life, proteins, DNA, RNA, etc., as well as the structures and forms that these molecules assume serve as rich sources of ideas for scientists or engineers who are interested in developing bio-inspired materials for innovations in biomedical fields. In nature, molecular self-assembly is a process by which complex three-dimensional structures with well-defined functions are constructed, starting from simple building blocks such as proteins and peptides.

This book introduces readers to the theory and mechanisms of peptide self-assembly processes. The authors present the more common peptide self-assembled building blocks and discuss how researchers from different fields can apply self-assembling principles to bionanotechnology applications. The advantages and challenges are mentioned together with examples that reflect the state of the art of the use of self-assembled peptide building blocks in nanotechnology.

"A very timely contribution that brings together state-of-the-art research in the emerging field of peptide self-assembly. This volume is highly recommended for researchers interested in both theoretical aspects of how peptides self-assemble and the burgeoning number of applications that are appearing for these fascinating structures."
?Prof. Juliet A. Gerrard - University of Canterbury, New Zealand

"This book presents both an introduction to and updated review of peptide-based nano-assemblies, ranging from a detailed description of the molecular forces governing self-assembly to applications in bionanotechnology and medicine, with an especially interesting chapter on how to manipulate self-assembled nanostructures for integration into devices. It is a complete yet succinct overview of the current research into the subject and its applications."
?Dr. Mark J. van Raaij - Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Spain

Table of Contents:

Theoretical basis of biological self-assembly. Natural and designed self-assembling peptides and their applications in bionanotechnology. Peptide-based materials via molecular self-assembly. Self-assembling peptide nanostructures: towards bioactive artificial protein nanomaterials. Manipulation of self-assembled peptide nanostructures. Applications in bionanotechnology of self-assembled peptide nanostructures. Biomedical applications of assembled peptide and protein micro- or nanostructures. Self-assembling peptides as a new class of medical device for regenerative medicine.