Enzyme-instructed molecular self-assembly confers nanofibers and a supramolecular hydrogel of taxol derivative.

By covalently connecting taxol with a motif that is prone to self-assemble, we successfully generate the precursor (5a), the hydrogelator (5b), and hydrogel of a taxol derivative without compromising the cytotoxic activity of the taxol. This approach promises a general method to create nanofibers of therapeutic molecules that have a dual role, as both the delivery vehicle and the drug itself.