POS4-1556
Hierarchical Engineering of Polymorphic Supramolecular Chirality through Co-Assembly of Peptides
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Hae Jung SON
Boseok KANG
Presenter(s)
Damhee Yun (Kyungpook National University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Peptide self-assembly provides a versatile platform for constructing supramolecular nanostructures with diverse morphologies and functions. Among these architectures, supramolecular chirality is a fundamental structural feature governing the physicochemical properties and biological functions of peptide assemblies. Despite significant advances in designing chiral peptide nanostructures, achieving precise control over supramolecular chiral polymorphism remains challenging because subtle changes in molecular packing and intermolecular interactions can generate distinct supramolecular architectures
Here, we present a hierarchical co-assembly strategy that enables nanoscale regulation of polymorphic chiral peptide assemblies with tunable pitch, length, and morphology. The parent peptide spontaneously assembles into left-handed chiral nanofibers that progressively transform into thermodynamically stable nanobelts. By introducing co-assembling peptides with varying charges, intermolecular interactions are modulated to tune the assembly propensity. Attractive interactions promote lateral association of chiral nanofibers into hierarchical chiral bundles, whereas weakly attractive or repulsive interactions suppress the association, resulting in reduced helicity or frustrated assembly. These polymorphic architectures arise from modulation of intermolecular interactions during co-assembly, enabling precise regulation of the supramolecular chirality.
This work demonstrates that hierarchical co-assembly extends beyond directing peptide self-assembly to enable the regulation of polymorphic supramolecular chirality with nanoscale precision. Our strategy establishes a general framework for controlling chiral polymorphism and provides new opportunities for designing peptide-based supramolecular materials with programmable architectures and emergent functions.
Here, we present a hierarchical co-assembly strategy that enables nanoscale regulation of polymorphic chiral peptide assemblies with tunable pitch, length, and morphology. The parent peptide spontaneously assembles into left-handed chiral nanofibers that progressively transform into thermodynamically stable nanobelts. By introducing co-assembling peptides with varying charges, intermolecular interactions are modulated to tune the assembly propensity. Attractive interactions promote lateral association of chiral nanofibers into hierarchical chiral bundles, whereas weakly attractive or repulsive interactions suppress the association, resulting in reduced helicity or frustrated assembly. These polymorphic architectures arise from modulation of intermolecular interactions during co-assembly, enabling precise regulation of the supramolecular chirality.
This work demonstrates that hierarchical co-assembly extends beyond directing peptide self-assembly to enable the regulation of polymorphic supramolecular chirality with nanoscale precision. Our strategy establishes a general framework for controlling chiral polymorphism and provides new opportunities for designing peptide-based supramolecular materials with programmable architectures and emergent functions.
