Photo-dissociation of self-assembled (anthracene-2-carbonyl)amino acid hydrogels

Amino acids modified with an N-terminal anthracene group self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels upon the addition of a range of salts or cell culture medium. Gel-phase photo-dimerisation of gelators results in hydrogel disassembly and was used to recover cells from 3D culture. Anthracene-amino acids self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels upon the addition of salts in water or cell culture medium; subsequent exposure to 365 nm UV light disassembles the hydrogel by photodimerising the gelators.