Enzymatic formation of a novel cell-adhesive hydrogel based on small peptides with a laterally grafted l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine group.

We rationally designed a bioadhesive supramolecular hydrogel by introducing L-3,4-dihydroxylphenylalanine (DOPA) groups while properly integrating the enzymatic reactions and self-assembly processes. The effective presence of the catechol groups successfully promoted the adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblast cells.