Research glossary

Purity

The proportion of the target compound in a given sample, most commonly verified by reverse-phase HPLC and reported as a percentage. A higher purity value indicates fewer synthesis by-products, salts and related impurities.

Sequence

The ordered chain of amino-acid residues that defines a peptide, written from the N-terminus to the C-terminus using single-letter or three-letter codes. The sequence determines the peptide's identity, structure and biological activity.

Molecular weight

The mass of a single molecule of the peptide, expressed in Daltons (Da). It is used to convert between mass and molar amounts when preparing solutions of a known concentration.

CAS number

A unique numeric identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to a specific chemical substance. It provides an unambiguous reference for cataloguing and verifying identity.

HPLC

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. An analytical technique that separates the components of a mixture so identity and purity can be measured against reference standards.

Lyophilization

Freeze-drying. Water is removed from a frozen solution under vacuum, leaving a stable powder. Most research peptides are supplied lyophilized to preserve shelf stability until reconstitution.

Reconstitution

Dissolving a lyophilized peptide in a defined solvent — typically bacteriostatic water or sterile saline — to reach a known concentration for laboratory use.

Bacteriostatic water

Sterile water for reconstitution containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth. Used in laboratory settings to reconstitute lyophilized peptides.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids (generally fewer than ~50 residues) joined by amide (peptide) bonds. Peptides are distinguished from proteins primarily by length.

Secretagogue

An agent that stimulates the secretion of a substance. For example, a growth-hormone secretagogue promotes the release of growth hormone from the pituitary.

Receptor agonist

A molecule that binds a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response that mimics or enhances the action of the endogenous ligand.

Receptor antagonist

A molecule that binds a receptor and blocks activation by endogenous ligands, reducing or preventing the receptor's biological response.

Angiogenesis

The physiological process by which new blood vessels form from existing vasculature, a common endpoint in tissue-repair and regeneration research.

IGF-1

Insulin-like growth factor 1. A hormone that mediates many of the anabolic effects of growth hormone and is frequently measured in growth-axis studies.

GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1. An incretin hormone that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and is a target in metabolic and glycaemic research.

GIP

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (also called gastric inhibitory polypeptide). An incretin hormone that augments insulin release after eating.

GHRH

Growth-hormone-releasing hormone. A hypothalamic peptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary.

Melanocortin

A family of peptides, including alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, that act on melanocortin receptors and are studied for pigmentation, appetite and sexual-arousal pathways.

Telomerase

The enzyme that maintains telomere length by adding repeat sequences to the ends of chromosomes, a focus of cellular-senescence and longevity research.

AMPK

AMP-activated protein kinase. A cellular energy sensor that regulates metabolic pathways and is implicated in exercise, insulin-sensitivity and longevity research.

Tissue-repair & regeneration research

Peptides such as BPC-157 and thymosin beta 4 (TB-500) are studied in cell and animal models for angiogenesis, cell migration and the repair of tendon, muscle and mucosal tissue.

Metabolic & glycaemic research

GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptor analogues (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) are investigated for insulin secretion, glucose regulation, satiety and weight management.

Growth-hormone & IGF-axis research

GHRH analogues and secretagogues (e.g. tesamorelin, CJC-1295, ipamorelin) are used to study endogenous GH and IGF-1 secretion, body composition and bone density.

Dermatological & extracellular-matrix research

GHK-Cu and related peptides are examined for collagen synthesis, skin remodelling, wound healing and hair-follicle biology in cell and tissue models.

Longevity & cellular-senescence research

Peptides such as Epithalon (Epitalon) and MOTS-c are investigated in animal and cell models for telomere maintenance, mitochondrial signalling and metabolic ageing pathways.

These definitions are provided for scientific reference only. AethelBio products are supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and are not intended for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any condition.