Peptide synthesis is a naturally occurring process. But for the purposes of commercial and large-scale production, biotechnology companies work diligently to refine and complete custom peptide synthesis services. Explore the various applications and approaches for peptide synthesis.
Peptide Synthesis Processes
There are a variety of methods for producing peptides, including chemical synthesis, recombinant DNA technology, and de novo synthesis. When it comes to biotechnology, one of the most common ways to produce proteins is through peptide synthesis.
To start, peptide synthesis is known as the emergence of a peptide bond connecting various amino acids, which creates the peptide sequence of interest. These amino acids play a significant role in the process of synthesizing. Peptides typically offer flexibility in sequencing and synthesizing with 20 or more amino acids; examples of amino acids include alanine, histidine, glycine, and serine. It’s essential to note that there are more amino acids than the ones listed here, and the amino acids used in peptide synthesis will vary depending upon the specific application.
Consider these common applications for peptide synthesis.
Peptide Medical Imaging
Peptide synthesis for medical imaging is an exciting new development under the current study. Previously, peptide imaging was found in protein binding, cell death detection, and gene therapy research. But now, the expansion of peptide medical imaging is improving the level of care patients can receive.
Two areas of peptide medical imaging that are experiencing significant progress are treatment efficacy and disease progression, as the technology works with MRI and PET imaging. In these instances, a radiolabeled antibody binds with a patient’s biomarkers for easier detection efforts during a scan. The result of this process is an advanced understanding of the patient’s needs.
Another area in which peptide medical imaging is improving patient care needs is through biocompatible agents. These offer overseeing medical providers the ability to closely monitor a patient from anywhere and track health markers and changes for a specified period of time.
Nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are foods with added nutrients that offer more benefits than the original nutritional values of those particular foods alone. These products often contain bioactive peptides, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants. Service providers partner with the food industry to create various nutraceuticals with added nutritional value and enhanced medicinal benefits. Digestive enzymes help break down the protein within the cells, which facilitates the release of the bioactive nutraceutical.
Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals are one of the leading applications for peptide synthesis services, particularly drug discoveries. Companies are creating peptide medication treatments that work in tandem with the body’s hormones and other mechanisms, such as enzyme inhibition or immune system modulation. Researchers are using custom DNA synthesis, and these DNA strains of interest produce modified or novel base pairs to achieve the desired peptides.
Thanks to the work being done with custom protein synthesis, there is a wide range of peptide-based medications, with over 60 variations receiving FDA approval. The companies with custom DNA synthesis capabilities also create peptide-based treatments for cancer patients through custom plans designed for each individual.
Regenerative medicine is another groundbreaking area of biopharmaceuticals that is hard at work right now. This area of specialty contributes to replacing, repairing, or regrowing damaged tissues, organs, or cells. The primary objective is targeting a specific site’s originating function to trigger a response. Stem cells play a fundamental role in regenerative medicine, but when novel peptides are combined with stem cells, the peptides help speed up the regeneration process.
Antibody Production
Antibody production and sequencing are two vital components of preventative medicine. We know preventative medicine is a fundamental element in things like disease prevention, disability understanding, and death outcomes. A primary focus of preventative medicine involves vaccine production and design. Peptide synthesis production services work closely with the vaccine industry to help improve research efforts.
Peptide synthesis can eliminate the need for a host animal when performing an antibody production process. The problems that arise with using a host animal include toxic responses from the immunogenicity and unwanted immune responses. But through peptide synthesis, researchers can customize antibody production services and potentially yield antibodies that would not typically exist through natural conditions.
Allergen-Free Cosmetics
A peptide is a variation of a protein that, when broken down, can pass through the skin or absorb into the body, depending on the peptide’s size. Peptides can originate from animals or plants, although they are most often from plants, meaning there would be no known allergens.
Many in the cosmetic industry use peptides to promote more supple-looking skin and a youthful appearance. In order to achieve this, the peptide of interest must originate from plants and be applied topically. It’s important to note that when these types of peptides enter the body, whether orally or via injection, the immune system can react through a trigger called peptidosis.
Peptide-based cosmetics offer various benefits to users, including anti-inflammatory, accelerated healing properties, and UV damage prevention and protection. The most common products include moisturizers and serums, where the moisture barrier is sealed off with active peptide solutions.
Food Preservation
Because peptides offer long-term stability and are made up of stable compounds, they don’t spoil very easily. The stability of these compounds makes them ideal for food preservation methods, particularly regarding meat products or produce that requires being kept fresh before buying or eating.
The most common peptide used in food preservation is antimicrobial peptides because they prevent pathogenic attacks. These peptides have low toxicity levels and high adhesion properties, whereas chemical preservatives typically have high toxicity levels and low adhesion properties. Therefore, antimicrobial peptide preservatives offer a safer, more natural alternative to food preservation methods.
Bon Opus Biosciences delivers comprehensive custom peptide synthesis services, in addition to custom protein production, antibody production, and gene synthesis services. We specialize in affordable, timely, and reputable turnarounds for each industry we serve. We cover over 300 modification capabilities, ensuring a wide range of research needs can be met. Contact us for a custom quote and inquire about our transparent workflow approach today.
