Fig. 1

a In order to trigger the self-assembly process, peptides freely in solution must be stimulated (temp, pH, ionic strength, etc.) to change into a form by which the ordered assembly is more favourable than remaining in solution. b In order to functionalise the self-assembled fibrils, signals must be included. Methods for achieving this include: i the functional epitope self-assembles (e.g. fmoc-RGD), ii doping creating a heterogenous assembly (e.g. fmoc-FF doped with fmoc-RGD), iii the assembling motif is capped with the signal, allowing the ordered presentation (e.g. peptide amphiphiles capped with IKVAV) or iv the signal is attached to the assembled fibril post assembly (whole proteins or peptide tags). c In order for the material to be delivered, the assembly process should either occur in vitro (and have cells pre-cultured on the material if required), or the peptides in solution are mixed with the appropriate signals (and cells), to assemble in vivo. These are then transferred to a delivery vector (e.g. microinjection). Once introduced to the tissue, the peptide assemblies interact with the implanted cells, directly contacting and supporting the host tissue, or, more typically, rely on endogenous cells migrating into the scaffold to promote repair