Cyclopeptide nanotubes: an alternative route for ready-to-wear preparation of custom-designed tubular structures

Abstract

Nanotechnology focuses on the preparation and characterization of nanometric structures, and their use as novel functional materials. Nanotubes specially stand out in this field due to their applications in areas as wide as catalysis, electronics, pharmacology and transport. In this communication we describe the design, preparation, application and evolution of a new class of tubular structures constructed by molecular self-assembly of cyclic peptides, paying particular attention to α,γ-hybrids because of their ability to modulate their internal cavity and their selectivity in the formation of homo- and/or heterodimeric structures.