Rational Design of a Tetrameric Protein to Enhance Interactions between Self‐Assembled Fibers Gives Molecular Hydrogels

Styling gels: The fusion protein ULD-TIP-1 (ULD=ubiquitin-like domain, TIP-1=Tax-interacting protein-1) enhances the interactions between self-assembled fibers formed by small molecules bearing a peptide that specifically binds to the ULD-TIP-1. The mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels (see picture) are tuned by using peptides with different dissociation constants for the protein.