Coiled-coil helix bundle, a peptide tertiary structural motif toward hybrid functional materials

Some of the recent progress in generating hierarchically structured hybrid materials using peptide–polymer conjugates is presented. In particular, we review some of the developments in de novo designed coiled-coil helix bundles and their synthetic polymer conjugates from a materials point of view. As one of the most important motifs underlying many of the functionalities found in natural proteins, coiled-coil helix bundles present unique opportunities to generate functional materials with structures and functionalities similar to those seen in nature. As we utilize peptide tertiary structures stabilized by non-covalent interactions, the principles governing the assembly process at multiple length scales become more complicated. Some challenges, as well as the critical areas that require further study for the advancement of this burgeoning field, are discussed. Further investigation will not only improve our fundamental understanding of multi-length scale assembly in multi-component systems, but may also lead to very unique functional biomolecular materials.