Looking to learn about peptides? Want to know why they are important both for research and potentially for healthcare? Check out this guide to get you started.
Firstly, what are peptides? They can be considered as mini proteins, made up by linking amino acids together. For an amino acid chain to be considered a protein, it needs fifty or more links, and anything less than that is called a peptide. Proteins serve many functions, like learning to replicate DNA or aiding in metabolism, and peptides are small parts of these bigger puzzles.
The various classes of peptides are usually identified by how they are produced. Some are made from milk, others from ribosomes, and some others are called nonribosomal peptides. Though they can be naturally produced in our bodies, most of the time when we talk about peptides, we will focus on those specifically designed in labs.
How are peptides made in labs, you ask? Two main techniques are used. The first, called liquid phase synthesis, is the traditional method. But most research labs now use a more modern technique called solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), which is more efficient as it allows for easy removal of unwanted substances after each reaction.
Now, let’s talk about the uses of peptides. The potential applications are broad because of their capacity to deliver molecules into cells – that’s why they’re sometimes called CPPs, or cell penetrating peptides! They play a significant role in medical treatments, including delivery of drugs to our cells and potentially even eliminating tumors.
Peptides also extend beyond medicinal uses, finding applications in fitness and wellness, such as for muscle development, weight loss, and anti-aging. They’ve even found their way into our diets through substances like Aspartame, an artificial sweetener created while developing an anti-ulcer medication.
Experts in the field of peptides have been contributing significantly to healthcare solutions, tackling challenges from cancer to erectile dysfunction. No wonder peptides are such an exciting area of modern science!
So there’s a starter guide on peptides. They might be small, but their applications are massively significant, and worth taking the time to understand.
