Glossary
Short, neutral explanations of terms you will often encounter around research peptides. In alphabetical order.
Agonist
A substance that binds a receptor and triggers a response there. The opposite is an antagonist, which blocks the receptor. Some peptides are agonists at several receptors at once.
Amino acid
The building block of peptides and proteins. The order of amino acids in a chain determines the shape and therefore the properties of the molecule.
BAC water (bacteriostatic water)
Water containing a small amount of preservative that inhibits bacterial growth. The term appears in the peptide world as a solvent. On this site it is explained purely as a concept; no instructions for preparing or administering material are given.
Batch
A specific produced quantity of a substance. Quality data such as a COA belong to one batch and do not automatically apply to another.
Clinical phase
An indication of the stage of research in humans: phase 1 (safety, small group), phase 2 (efficacy and dose range), phase 3 (large comparative trials). Only after phase 3 does an assessment for registration follow.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
An analytical report for a specific batch, stating what was measured for that batch, such as purity and the method used. See Quality & provenance.
GLP-1
Glucagon-like peptide-1: an endogenous hormone involved in insulin release after a meal and in satiety signalling. Several medicines and research substances act on the GLP-1 receptor.
Half-life
The time in which the amount of a substance in a system falls by half. A pharmacological term indicating how quickly a substance is broken down or excreted.
HPLC
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: an analytical method that separates the components of a sample, allowing purity to be determined. Often expressed as a percentage.
Lyophilisation (freeze-drying)
A drying technique in which a frozen substance has its water removed under vacuum. Peptides are often supplied lyophilised as a dry powder, as they are more stable dry than in solution.
Mass spectrometry (MS)
An analytical method that measures the mass of molecules, confirming whether a substance really is the expected molecule. Complements HPLC.
Peptide
A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Shorter than a protein; as a rule of thumb up to around fifty amino acids.
Peptide bond
The chemical bond linking two amino acids. The class of substances is named after it.
Preclinical research
Research conducted before humans are involved: in test tubes, cell culture and animal models. Preclinical results do not translate straightforwardly to humans.
Purity
The extent to which a sample consists of the intended substance rather than impurities or degradation products. It says something about composition, not about safety or suitability for a purpose.
Receptor
A structure, usually on a cell surface, that a signalling molecule fits onto. Binding a receptor can set off a biological response.
Reconstitution
Dissolving a freeze-dried powder in a liquid again. Explained here as a concept within a laboratory and research context; this site gives no dosing or preparation instructions.
Regulatory status
The legal position of a substance: approved or not approved by authorities such as the EMA, FDA or CBG. Not approved means: not a medicine.
RUO (Research Use Only)
A label indicating that a substance or product is intended solely for research purposes and not for use in humans or animals.
Sequence
The order of amino acids in a peptide. It determines the three-dimensional shape and thus which structures the molecule can interact with.