Peptide capable of forming a gel for use in tissue engineering and bioprinting

1. A peptide capable of forming a gel by self-assembly, wherein the said peptide is selected from the group consisting of

(SEQ ID NO: 9)

IVFD,

(SEQ ID NO: 10)

IVOD,

(SEQ ID NO: 17)

IVFE,

(SEQ ID NO: 18)

IVOE,

(SEQ ID NO: 25)

IVFS,

(SEQ ID NO: 26)

IVOS

(SEQ ID NO: 33)

IVFR,

(SEQ ID NO: 34)

IVOR,

(SEQ ID NO: 41)

IVF(Dab),

(SEQ ID NO: 42)

IVO(Dab),

(SEQ ID NO: 49)

IVF(Dap),

(SEQ ID NO: 50)

IVO(Dap),

(SEQ ID NO: 57)

IVF(Orn),

(SEQ ID NO: 58)

IVO(Orn),

(SEQ ID NO: 65)

KFVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 66)

KOVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 73)

DFVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 74)

DOVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 81)

EFVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 82)

EOVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 89)

SFVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 90)

SOVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 97)

RFVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 98)

ROVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 105)

(Dab)FVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 106)

(Dab)OVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 113)

(Dap)FVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 114)

(Dap)OVI,

(SEQ ID NO: 121)

(Orn)FVI, and

(SEQ ID NO: 122)

(Orn)OVI,

wherein I is isoleucine, L is leucine, V is valine, F is phenylalanine, K is lysine, D is aspartic acid, E is glutamic acid, S is serine, R is arginine, O is cyclohexylalanine, (Dab) is 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, (Dap) is 2,3-diaminopropionic acid, and (Orn) is omithine.

2. The peptide according to claim 1 , being stable in aqueous solution at physiological conditions at ambient temperature for at least 6 months and/or being stable in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, at a temperature up to 90° C., for at least 1 hour.

3. A hydrogel or organogel comprising the peptide of claim 1 .

4. The hydrogel or organogel according to claim 3 , wherein:

the hydrogel is stable in aqueous solution at ambient temperature for at least 1 month,

the hydrogel is characterized by a storage modulus G′ to loss modulus G″ ratio that is greater than 2 to 5,

the hydrogel or organogel is characterized by a storage modulus G′ from 500 Pa to 200,000 Pa at a frequency in the range of from 0.1 Hz to 100 Hz, and/or

the hydrogel or organogel is characterized by a storage modulus G′ from 500 Pa to 200,000 Pa at a frequency in the range of from 0.1 Hz to 100 Hz.

5. The hydrogel or organogel according to claim 3 , wherein the hydrogel or organogel has a higher mechanical strength than collagen or its hydrolyzed form (gelatin).

6. The hydrogel or organogel according to claim 3 , wherein the hydrogel or organogel is comprised in at least one of a fuel cell, a solar cell, an electronic cell, a biosensing device, a medical device, an implant, a pharmaceutical composition and a cosmetic composition.

7. The hydrogel or organogel according to claim 3 , which is injectable.

8. A method of preparing a hydrogel or organogel, the method comprising dissolving a peptide according to claim 1 in an aqueous solution or an organic solution, respectively.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the dissolved peptide in aqueous or organic solution is further exposed to temperature, wherein the temperature is in the range from 20° C. to 90° C. and/or wherein the peptide is dissolved at a concentration from about 1 mg/ml to about 20 mg/ml.

10. A kit of parts, the kit comprising a first container with a peptide according to claim 1 and a second container with an aqueous or organic solution.

11. A peptide capable of forming a gel by self-assembly, said peptide having a sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(SEQ ID NO: 1)

IVFK, and 

(SEQ ID NO: 2)

IVOK,

wherein I=isoleucine, V=valine, F=phenylalanine, K=lysine, and O=cyclohexylalanine.