{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,15]],"date-time":"2026-09-15T04:31:53Z","timestamp":1789446713137,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":78,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]],"date-time":"2026-05-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780185600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/termsAndConditions#vor"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]],"date-time":"2026-05-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780185600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["ChemBioChem"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Ultra\u2010short peptide (USP) hydrogels have emerged as a simple yet innovative class of biomaterial. Small peptide sequences (\u22648 amino acid residues) self\u2010assemble to form hierarchical nanofibrillar networks, which are characterized by minimalist design, biocompatibility, and the ability to mimic native extracellular matrix (ECM). These characteristics make USP hydrogels an excellent candidate for various biomedical applications, including 3D bioprinting, disease modeling, and targeted drug delivery. However, a thorough understanding of their hierarchical assembly and function is necessary to fully ascertain their potential. The current review provides an insight into the integrated biophysical toolkit needed to characterize USP hydrogels. We have critically summarized techniques used for examining the mechanical integrity (rheology), morphological properties (scanning electron microscopy, ransmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X\u2010ray diffraction, confocal), molecular interactions (circular dichroism, Fourier\u2010transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance), and thermal characteristics (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis) of USP hydrogels. By consolidating information from various biophysical techniques, one can rationally tailor hydrogels that exhibit desired mechanical and biological characteristics required for various biotechnological applications. Moreover, we also highlight the use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive peptide engineering. Finally, our review underlines the current translational challenges and future prospects that position USP hydrogels as a robust platform for addressing the pressing needs in the biomedical field.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/cbic.70402","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]],"date-time":"2026-05-31T18:30:43Z","timestamp":1780252243000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Multiscale Biophysical Characterization of Ultra\u2010Short Peptide Hydrogels"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"27","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2976-7638","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Komal","family":"Patel","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical Sciences Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus  Kolkata West Bengal India"},{"name":"Dr. Chigurupati Nageswara Rao Ocular Pharmacology Research Centre LV Prasad Eye Institute  Hyderabad Telangana India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shubhamoy","family":"Chakraborty","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical Sciences Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus  Kolkata West Bengal India"},{"name":"Dr. Chigurupati Nageswara Rao Ocular Pharmacology Research Centre LV Prasad Eye Institute  Hyderabad Telangana India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Priasha","family":"Dutta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Bioscience and Technology VIT University  Vellore TN India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Indranil","family":"Biswas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical Sciences Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus  Kolkata West Bengal India"},{"name":"Department of Microbiology Molecular Genetics, and Immunology University of Kansas Medical Center  Kansas City Kansas USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bidyut Kumar","family":"Senapati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemistry Midnapore College (Autonomous)  West Bengal India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sanhita","family":"Roy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dr. Chigurupati Nageswara Rao Ocular Pharmacology Research Centre LV Prasad Eye Institute  Hyderabad Telangana India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8752-2842","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anirban","family":"Bhunia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical Sciences Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus  Kolkata West Bengal India"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_9_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addr.2012.09.010"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/cm202640w"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sbi.2020.04.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/natrevmats.2016.71"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addr.2021.05.010"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels10110693"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/polym17152026"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels10040216"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/adma.200501765"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsabm.9b00125"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/jacs.3c04872"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsbiomaterials.9b00389"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsnano.8b05067"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsabm.2c00767"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels7040208"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.biomac.1c00187"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/adhm.202403560"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.nanolett.0c04426"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.202404373"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.5c03250"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2023.122032"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.biomac.3c00559"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fchem.2022.1009468"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/adma.201906043"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/am.2016.116"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/adhm.201700368"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.2c18733"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/biom15060839"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels10010012"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics14010133"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/D3RA08883A"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.biomac.9b00291"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels5010005"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nano9040541"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/C9TB01900F"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/marc.202200223"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/cbic.202400595"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2015.03.002"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.colsurfb.2021.111989"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/C7NR06525F"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/D1NR08206J"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/b919449p"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.202408213"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsabm.0c00252"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/advs.201901173"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-0-387-46312-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsanm.2c04144"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels9040347"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics15031026"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-60145-z"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/IJN.S296272"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels9120940"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/nprot.2006.202"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsnano.0c03085"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/srep32670"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/D1QM00430A"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_58_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsnano.9b03444"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/anie.201710642"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jrs.6121"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.isci.2019.03.008"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-025-61141-1"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/adhm.202500875"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ma15248928"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_65_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.biomac.7b01632"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_66_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chempr.2023.05.009"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_67_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.bioconjchem.8b00260"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_68_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/jacs.1c09172"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_69_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.biomac.5b01319"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_70_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/D5SC00251F"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_71_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsmacrolett.3c00144"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_72_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2011.05.052"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_73_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/sciadv.adv1971"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_74_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.1903376116"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_75_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41557-022-01055-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_76_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-023-39648-2"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_77_1","first-page":"2825","article-title":"Scikit\u2010Learn: Machine Learning in Python","volume":"12","author":"Pedregosa F.","year":"2011","journal-title":"The Journal of Machine Learning Research"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_78_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3102\/1076998619872761"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_79_1","first-page":"5281","article-title":"RDKit: A Software Suite for Cheminformatics, Computational Chemistry, and Predictive Modeling","volume":"8","author":"Landrum G.","year":"2013","journal-title":"Greg Landrum"}],"container-title":["ChemBioChem"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/cbic.70402","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1002\/cbic.70402","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/cbic.70402","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,16]],"date-time":"2026-06-16T06:18:50Z","timestamp":1781590730000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/cbic.70402"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]]},"references-count":78,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1002\/cbic.70402"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/cbic.70402","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1439-4227","1439-7633"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1439-4227","type":"print"},{"value":"1439-7633","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,31]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-03-26","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-05-18","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-05-31","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"e70402"}}