Research-peptide glossary
18 termsPlain definitions of the vocabulary that runs through the research-peptide guides — methodology and handling, testing and compliance, compound types, and the receptors and pathways compounds are studied against. Every definition is factual and research-framed; nothing here is medical, therapeutic, or human-use advice.
[ Research use only · Not for human consumption ]
[ Methodology & handling ]
- Lyophilisedfreeze-driedFreeze-dried to a dry powder — the stable form research peptides are supplied in before reconstitution.
- ReconstitutionDissolving a lyophilised peptide powder into a liquid working stock, usually with bacteriostatic water.
- Bacteriostatic waterSterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative — the standard reconstitution diluent.
- Working stockworking concentrationThe reconstituted solution at a known concentration (mg/mL) that a protocol draws from.
- AliquotA measured portion of a working stock, often frozen separately to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
[ Testing & compliance ]
- HPLChigh-performance liquid chromatographyThe standard analytical method for measuring peptide purity by separating the target compound from impurities.
- Certificate of analysisCOAThe lab report documenting the identity and measured purity of a specific batch of a compound.
- Research use onlyRUOSupplied for in-vitro / laboratory research — not for human or animal use, and not a therapeutic good.
- TGATherapeutic Goods AdministrationThe Australian regulator of therapeutic goods — medicines and medical devices for human use.
[ Compound types ]
- PeptideA short chain of amino acids — the class of compound that research peptides belong to.
- TripeptideA peptide of three amino-acid residues — for example GHK (in GHK-Cu) or KPV.
- PentadecapeptideA peptide of fifteen amino-acid residues — the class BPC-157 belongs to.
- Mitochondrial-derived peptideMDPA peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome rather than the nuclear genome — for example MOTS-c.
[ Receptors & pathways ]
- AgonistA molecule that binds and activates a receptor — the mechanism most research peptides are studied for.
- GHRHgrowth-hormone-releasing hormoneThe hypothalamic hormone whose receptor GHRH-analogue research peptides (e.g. CJC-1295) are studied against.
- GHRPgrowth-hormone-releasing peptideA class of research peptides acting on the ghrelin / GHS-R1a receptor — for example Ipamorelin.
- IncretinGut hormones (GLP-1, GIP) whose receptors GLP-class research peptides are studied against.
- Melanocortin receptorMC1R–MC5RA family of five receptors (MC1R–MC5R) that melanocortin research peptides such as Melanotan II and PT-141 are studied against.