Modification of fluorophore photophysics through peptide-driven self-assembly

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.