Facile control over the supramolecular ordering of self-assembled peptide scaffolds by simultaneous assembly with a polysacharride

Enabling control over macromolecular ordering and the spatial distribution of structures formed via the mechanisms of molecular self-assembly is a challenge that could yield a range of new functional materials. Here, we show that via co-assembly with a highly charged polysaccharide, fucoidan, the microscale ordering of Fmoc-FRGDF peptide fibrils and subsequent mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogel can be effectively manipulated without disruption to the nanofibrillar structure of the assembly.