The work describes the development of a new class of synthetic metallopeptides that features a dirhodium metal center. Combination of peptide and dirhodium properties leads to unique effects on peptide structure, peptide-protein interactions, and metal catalytic activity aimed at small molecule as well as protein substrates. Dirhodium is directly bound to carboxylate side chains of aspartate or glutamate yielding kinetically inert coordination complexes. This improves stability, allows purification and provides enhanced biocompatibility. Bridging of two side chains in the same sequence enables control of the peptide secondary structure. Dirhodium metallopeptides are applied to regulate coiled coil dimerization, stabilize and induce helical secondary structure, catalyze enantioselective organometallic transformation, and serve as ligands for proteins. These results lead to the development of hybrid organic-inorganic therapeutic agents, biological probes for study of protein-protein interactions, and enantioselective metallopeptide catalysis.