Glycopeptide-based supramolecular hydrogels induce stem cell differentiation into neural lineages

Proteins, glycans, and their conjugates represent major classes of biopolymers that constitute the extracellular matrix (ECM). Glycoproteins have important and diverse biological roles, e.g., storage depots of proteins, activating factors for cytokines and enzymes, co-receptors at the cell surface. These lead to the development of glycopeptide amphiphiles as building blocks of supramolecular hydrogels^1,2 that act as biochemical and biophysical mimics of the ECM.³