Peptide Bioink: Self-Assembling Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Three-Dimensional Organotypic Cultures

Printable scaffolds with adequate mechanical strength and stiffness are sought after to ensure viability of printed cells and tissues. We report the first peptide bioinks–lysine-containing hexapeptides that self-assemble into stable, nanofibrous three-dimensional hydrogels with unprecedented stiffness of up to 40 kPa. These biocompatible scaffolds support the three-dimensional culture of human stem cells and differentiation of primary cells into organotypic (gastrointestinal and skin) structures for high-throughput screening, diagnosis, and tissue engineering