- Peptide
- Short chain of two to about 50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Smaller than a protein.
- Amino acid
- Organic building blocks of peptides and proteins. 20 proteinogenic amino acids form the building blocks of life.
- Peptide bond
- Chemical bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next.
- Protein
- Large biomolecule of more than ~50 amino acids with a complex folded structure (secondary, tertiary, quaternary structure).
- Tripeptide
- Peptide made up of exactly three amino acids. Example: GHK-Cu (glycine-histidine-lysine).
- Pentadecapeptide
- Peptide made up of 15 amino acids. Example: BPC-157.
- Lyophilization
- Freeze-drying: removal of water under vacuum by sublimation. Produces a stable powder that can be stored for a long time.
- Reconstitution
- Dissolving a lyophilized peptide in a solvent (e.g., bacteriostatic water) before laboratory use.
- Bacteriostatic water
- Water with ~0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth. Solvent for lyophilized substances in the lab.
- HPLC
- High-performance liquid chromatography. Separation method used to determine the purity of a substance.
- HPLC-MS
- HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry. Analytical standard for the purity and identity of peptides.
- Mass spectrometry
- Measurement of the mass-to-charge ratio to determine the exact molecular mass and identity.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Analysis report on a tested sample, including identity (mass spectrometry), purity (HPLC), and batch reference.
- Purity
- Proportion of the target molecule in the total sample, determined by HPLC. The respective analysis report is authoritative.
- Batch (lot)
- Uniquely numbered production unit. Links the product and COA and enables traceability.
- Research Use Only (RUO)
- Label for exclusively scientific laboratory use. Not a medicinal product, not for human use.
- In vitro
- Investigation outside the living organism, e.g., in cell cultures or test tubes.
- In vivo
- Investigation in the living organism, for example in animal models.
- Preclinical
- Research phase before use in humans — includes in vitro and in vivo studies.
- GHK-Cu
- Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper (CAS 89030-95-5). Copper peptide studied in relation to collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity.
- BPC-157
- Synthetic pentadecapeptide (15 amino acids) derived from a gastric protein. Studied in relation to tissue protection and angiogenesis.
- TB-500
- Synthetic fragment of thymosin β4. Studied in relation to actin sequestration, cell migration, and tissue remodeling.
- KPV
- Lys-Pro-Val, C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH. Studied in relation to melanocortin receptors and inflammation modulation.
- NAD+
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Cofactor in >500 reactions, substrate for sirtuins and PARPs. Longevity research.
- Retatrutide
- Synthetic peptide (LY3437943) that simultaneously activates three related hormone receptors, including the GLP-1 and GIP receptors (triple agonist).
- Triple agonist
- A substance that activates three different receptors at the same time. Example: retatrutide.
- GLP-1
- Incretin hormone from the gut; its receptor (GLP-1R) is central to metabolic research on insulin secretion.
- Sirtuins
- NAD+-dependent enzymes (SIRT1–7) that regulate gene expression and metabolism. Key to the biology of aging.
- Angiogenesis
- Formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. An important process in tissue research.
- Copper peptide
- Peptide with a complexed copper ion (Cu²⁺). Best-known example: GHK-Cu.
- Hygroscopic
- Property of attracting moisture from the air. Lyophilized peptides are hygroscopic and must be stored dry.
