Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. In practice they are smaller and structurally less complex than full proteins and are commonly used as signaling molecules that recognize a specific receptor with high selectivity.
How they are produced
Research peptides are manufactured by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) using Fmoc chemistry. The sequence is assembled residue by residue on a resin, then cleaved, purified and analyzed for identity and purity.
Differences with proteins and small molecules
- Proteins fold into multi-domain architectures and may act as enzymes.
- Peptides typically transmit information through receptor binding.
- Small molecules are chemically distinct and enter cells differently.
Peptide Life context
All Peptide Life products are Research Use Only (RUO) — intended exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research.