Modification of fluorophore photophysics through peptide-driven self-assembly

Kevin J. Channon, Glyn L. Devlin, Steven W. Magennis, Christopher Edward Finlayson, Anna K. Tickler, Carlos Silva, Cait E. MacPhee*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe the formation of self-assembling nanoscale fibrillar aggregates from a hybrid system comprising a short polypeptide conjugated to the fluorophore fluorene. The fibrils are typically unbranched, similar to 7 nm in diameter, and many microns in length. A range of techniques are used to demonstrate that the spectroscopic nature of the fluorophore is significantly altered in the fibrillar environment. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy reveals changes in the guest fluorophore, consistent with energy migration and excimer formation within the fibrils. We thus demonstrate the use of self-assembling peptides to drive the assembly of a guest moiety, in which novel characteristics are observed as a consequence. We suggest that this method could be used to drive the assembly of a wide range of guests, offering the development of a variety of useful, smart nanomaterials that are able to self-assemble in a controllable and robust fashion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5487-5491
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume130
Issue number16
Early online date01 Apr 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Apr 2008

Keywords

  • RAY
  • AMYLOID FIBRILS
  • SUPRAMOLECULAR HYDROGELS
  • ENERGY-TRANSFER
  • PI-STACKED POLYMER
  • CONJUGATED POLYMERS

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