Peptide-Based Coacervates for Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery: Design, Mechanisms, and Applications
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Peptide-based coacervates have emerged as a versatile platform for stimuli-responsive drug delivery, leveraging their unique physicochemical properties and dynamic phase behaviour. These coacervates, formed through liquid-liquid phase separation of peptide sequences, offer tunable encapsulation and release, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications. This review explores the fundamental principles governing peptide coacervation, emphasizing the impact of both endogenous and exogenous stimulus such as pH, temperature, redox conditions, metal ions, magnetic fields, enzymes and light on the coacervation process and how this can be harnessed for drug delivery applications. Special attention is given to the molecular design strategies that enhance the responsiveness of peptide-based coacervates, including sequence modifications, incorporation of non-canonical amino acids, and conjugation with functional moieties. Additionally, we discuss recent advancements in the synthesis and characterization of these materials, highlighting their potential in gene therapy, cancer treatment, and regenerative medicine. Finally we give an outlook to future-possibilities and remaining challenges for the use of this promising platform for next-generation therapeutic applications.
Source: ChemRxiv
Authors: Krishna S Bharadwaj, Sharat Sarmah, Mrinmoy De
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204881265