Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to physical mixtures of diblock copolypeptide hydrogel (DCH) systems. These systems exhibit mechanical strength and stiffness that are synergistically increased over the individual component DCHs, to greater than would be expected for a linear combination of the components. Such systems may have utility in biomedical applications such as drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mixtures of triblock or pentablock copolypeptide hydrogels (DCH). These hydrogels possess improved mechanical properties, such as elasticity, that are synergistically increased over the individual component DCHs, to greater than would be expected for a linear combination of the components. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the triblock and pentablock copolypeptide hydrogels.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising at least two diblock copolypeptides, wherein each copolypeptide has an ionic segment with the opposite charge from the other. The copolypeptides form ?-sheet structured hydrogel assemblies via polyion complexation when mixed in aqueous media. As a result of their unique physical properties, the hydrogels are useful as cell suspension or cell culture media, in drug or cell delivery systems, in scaffolds for tissue repair, or as 3d-printable media.