The chemistry of peptides and proteins as drug targets, design and synthesis of protein-coding genes and gene therapies, drug conjugates.
Amino acids: The basic building blocks of peptides and proteins, their properties and classifications, and the role they play in the structure of peptides and proteins.
Peptide synthesis: The methods used for the synthesis of peptides, including solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), solution-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), and native chemical ligation (NCL).
Types of peptidomimetics: Peptide mimics, including peptoids, β-peptides and other non-natural amino acids, and their use in developing pharmacological agents.
Structural analysis of peptides and proteins: Different methods for the elucidation of the 3D structures of peptides and proteins, including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy.
Protein-protein interactions: The various types of protein-protein interactions, including ligand-receptor and enzyme-substrate interactions, and their importance for the development of drug candidates.
Peptide and protein-based drugs: Examples of peptide and protein-based drugs, their therapeutic applications, and their mechanisms of action.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of peptide and protein-based drugs: The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of peptide and protein-based drugs, and the relationship between drug concentration and effect.
Delivery systems for peptide and protein-based drugs: Approaches to improve the bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery of peptide and protein-based drugs using nanotechnology, liposomes, and other delivery systems.
Drug discovery and development: The process of drug discovery and development for peptide and protein-based drugs, including lead discovery, preclinical testing, and clinical trials.
Proteomics: The study of proteomes, which are the complete set of proteins expressed by a genome, and their contribution to drug discovery and development.
Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. It is used as a drug to control diabetes.
Growth hormone: Growth hormone is a peptide hormone that regulates growth, development, and metabolism. It is used as a drug for growth hormone deficiency and other diseases.
Erythropoietin (EPO): EPO is a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. It is used as a drug for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease and cancer chemotherapy.
Interferon: Interferon is a group of proteins that act as natural defenses against viruses and tumors. They are used as drugs for various types of cancers and viral infections.
Antibodies: Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. They are used as drugs for various diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
Enzyme replacement therapy: Enzyme replacement therapy is a treatment for enzyme deficiencies, such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, and Pompe disease. It involves administering a synthetic enzyme to replace the missing or deficient natural enzyme.
Peptide hormones: Peptide hormones are signaling molecules that regulate various physiological processes, such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Examples of peptide hormones used as drugs include gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists, used in the treatment of prostate cancer and endometriosis.
Cytokines: Cytokines are proteins that regulate immune responses and inflammation. They are used as drugs for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Synthetic peptides: Synthetic peptides are peptides designed to mimic natural peptides and proteins or to have specific biological activities. They are used as drugs for various diseases, such as cancer, infectious diseases, and diabetes.