Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) Peptide Conjugates in Water

Fluorescent hydrogels: Peptide hybrids composed of an oligo(p- phenylenevinylene)-based ?-amino acid and a ?-sheet-forming sequence reversibly self-assemble into fluorescent hydrogels upon a change in pH (see graphic). This study highlights how the combination of peptides and ?-conjugated oligomers could be a fruitful approach towards the control of self-assembled structures.