CHAPTER 1: Design and Synthesis of Peptides for Developing Biomaterials

Abstract

In this chapter, an intelligent design of synthetic peptides and their implementation in biomaterials is discussed. Potential biocompatibility, bioactivity and availability through well-established synthetic methods indisputably make peptides one of the indispensable tools in developing new materials for biomaterials engineering. Synthetic peptides are used to display bioactivity by various approaches, such as supramolecular self-assembly forming biomimetic systems, preparation of peptide-based polymeric scaffolds, as well as post-synthetic immobilization on polymeric scaffolds. The design of the peptides is the most crucial part, as it defines functionality and the mode of bioactivity of the final product. A variety of design principles and fabrication of functional materials in peptide biomaterials are presented in detail in this chapter.