ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the development of stimuli-responsive supramolecular hydrogels, based on rational molecular design and describes the development of electrophoretic method of biopolymer using supramolecular hydrogel as a matrix. Supramolecular hydrogels are highly flexible because all their formation driving forces are reversible noncovalent bonds. Supramolecular hydrogels responding to various stimuli such as light, chemicals and pH responsiveness have been reported in decades. In supramolecular hydrogels prepared under heating conditions, appropriate bundling had progressed and formed stable homogeneous fibrous aggregates. Various ionic surfactants, including anionic sodium sulfates as well as cationic surfactants such as dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, effectively induce supramolecular hydrogel formation of 3. In the study of sodium dodecyl sulfate-Supramolecular Gel Electrophoresis, it became clear that a protein sample could be efficiently recovered after electrophoresis when a supramolecular hydrogel was used as a carrier. Native acidic proteins were separated on the basis of their isoelectric points rather than their molecular weights in native-SUGE experiments using supramolecular hydrogel of 4.
