This disclosure relates to self-assembling peptides that form hydrogels comprising peptide sequences for the activation of signaling pathways. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions comprising a recombinant polypeptide comprising a cell signaling sequence, e.g., JAG-1 sequence, fused to a hydrogel polypeptide sequence. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of cell culture on three dimensional scaffolds/hydrogels composed of self-assembling peptides disclosed herein.