Nichtkovalente Modifikation amyloider Peptidfibrillen zur Herstellung bioaktiver Nanomaterialien

Abstract

In this work the specific functionalization of amyloid fibrils and their usage as versatile bionanomaterials is described. Additionally, a short insight into the application of these structures to address challenges in modern science is given. Herein, synthesis and characterization of novel functional molecules for non-covalent modification of amyloid fibrils to introduce further valuable functionalities is portrayed. Bifunctional design of the derivatives enables modification of naturally occurring amyloid, e.g. for bioimaging of fibrils in body fluids and in vivo. Here, the utilization of a gadolinium complex to create a novel amyloid-specific contrast agent for magnetic resonance tomography and the application of surfaces, coated with benzothiazole derivatives, to specifically extract fibrils from body fluids are described. These methodologies represent promising starting points to investigate and fulfil presently insufficient visualization and identification of amyloid in humans. To enhance the functional spectrum of peptide nanofibrils, the coating of the fibril surface with a polymer can be seen to provide an additional dimension in the multifunctional design of these biomaterials. Herein, synthesis and characterization of polydopamine coated nanofibrils is described. First application-oriented experiments show a high biocompatibility and therefore allow utilization of these fibrils as biomaterials. Additionally, these PDA-fibrils possess great potential as transporter molecules for biomedical applications since they are biocompatible, very stable to environmental influences and the polymer coating enables further pH-reversible modifications of the fibril surface. Although utilization of peptide fibrils as novel biomaterials is still at its infancy, the possibility of specific modifications to introduce further functionalities makes them an attractive and unconventional system for versatile applications in modern science.