Micropatterned glycopeptide-based supramolecular hydrogels promote the alignment and contractility of cardiomyocytes

Cardiac tissue regeneration is still a challenge in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The functional recovery of cardiac tissue requires an adequate contractility of exogenous and/or endogenous cardiomyocytes.^1-2 Herein, we propose the use of glycopeptide supramolecular gels to induce such contractility. These hydrogels present a dynamic character (i.e., they are able to respond to different (bio)chemical stimuli) and can be micropatterned in order to induce the alignment of cardiomyocytes as in cardiac tissue. Glycopeptides copycat the glycoproteins of the ECM and thus, are closer ECM mimic at the biofunctional level.