Reference · Research library
Peptide Research Glossary
Plain-English definitions of common research peptide terms. For laboratory and research use only.
Chemistry
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Research peptides studied for in-vitro and laboratory applications include sequences ranging from a few residues (e.g., GHK, three amino acids) to several dozen (e.g., tirzepatide, 39 residues).
Peptides
- 5-amino-1mq
- Small molecule (not strictly a peptide) studied as an inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in metabolic and longevity research models. View product →
- AHK-Cu
- Copper-binding tripeptide (alanyl-histidyl-lysine + Cu) studied in hair and follicle research alongside related copper peptides such as GHK-Cu. View product →
- BPC-157
- Body Protection Compound, a pentadecapeptide fragment derived from gastric juice protein BPC, studied in tissue repair and gut research models. View product →
- BPC-157 + TB-500
- Synergistic recovery research blend combining BPC-157 and Thymosin Beta-4 fragment TB-500, studied in combined repair and angiogenesis models. View product →
- Cagrilintide
- Long-acting amylin analogue studied in metabolic research, often paired with GLP-1 receptor agonists in combination metabolic protocols. View product →
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- Short-acting modified GHRH analogue studied for growth hormone research. The no-DAC variant lacks the drug affinity complex of long-acting CJC-1295. View product →
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
- Research blend combining a GHRH analogue (CJC-1295) and a GH secretagogue (ipamorelin) studied for pulsatile growth hormone release in research models. View product →
- DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide)
- Nine-amino-acid neuropeptide studied in sleep and stress research, originally isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood during delta-wave sleep. View product →
- Epithalon
- Tetrapeptide studied in telomerase activity and longevity research models. Originally isolated from extracts of bovine pineal gland. View product →
- GHK-Cu
- Copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine + Cu) studied in skin, collagen, and tissue-repair research. One of the most-studied copper peptides. View product →
- GLOW (research blend)
- Combination repair-and-recovery research blend formulation. See product page for component composition. View product →
- Glutathione
- Master antioxidant tripeptide (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) studied in cellular redox and oxidative stress research models. View product →
- KLOW (research blend)
- Extended repair research blend formulation. See product page for component composition. View product →
- KPV
- Tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine) fragment of α-MSH studied in gut and inflammation research models. View product →
- Melanotan 1
- Melanocortin receptor agonist studied in pigmentation research models. Structurally analogous to α-MSH with extended biological stability. View product →
- Melanotan 2
- Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist studied in pigmentation research models. Non-selective across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. View product →
- MOTS-c
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide (16 amino acids) encoded by mitochondrial DNA, studied in metabolic research through AMPK pathway activation. View product →
- NAD+
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism and redox reactions, studied in longevity and metabolic research. View product →
- PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
- Melanocortin receptor agonist studied in preclinical research models for sexual function and behavior. Cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-MSH. View product →
- Retatrutide
- Triple receptor agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, studied in metabolic research models. Investigational compound in clinical trials. View product →
- Selank
- Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of tuftsin studied in anxiolytic and cognitive research models. Developed by the Russian Academy of Sciences. View product →
- Semaglutide
- GLP-1 receptor agonist (31 amino acids) studied in metabolic and weight research models. Modified peptide with extended half-life relative to native GLP-1. View product →
- Semax
- Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH (4-10) studied in cognitive and neuroprotection research models. Developed by the Russian Academy of Sciences. View product →
- Sermorelin
- 29-amino-acid GHRH analogue (the first 29 residues of native GHRH) studied for growth hormone secretagogue research. View product →
- SS-31 (Elamipretide)
- Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that selectively binds cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane, studied in mitochondrial dysfunction research models. View product →
- TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment)
- Synthetic 17-amino-acid fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 studied in repair, angiogenesis, and tissue migration research models. View product →
- Tesamorelin
- Stabilized GHRH analogue (44 amino acids) studied in body composition research. Modified at the N-terminus for resistance to enzymatic degradation. View product →
- Tirzepatide
- Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist (39 amino acids) studied in metabolic research models. First-in-class twincretin investigational compound. View product →
Reconstitution
- Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
- Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol that inhibits bacterial growth in reconstituted research solutions. Extends the working storage window of a reconstituted peptide at 2–8°C from days to approximately 30 days.
Reconstitution math
- Concentration (mg/mL)
- The mass of peptide dissolved per unit volume of solvent. A 10 mg vial reconstituted in 2 mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 5 mg/mL, equivalent to 5000 mcg/mL.
- Dilution
- Reducing the concentration of a solution by adding more solvent, or measuring out a smaller volume of stock to achieve a target dose. Reconstitution is the initial dilution from lyophilized powder to working solution.
- Mcg (microgram)
- One millionth of a gram, or one thousandth of a milligram. 1 mg = 1000 mcg. Common research dose units fall in the 100–1000 mcg range depending on the peptide and study design.
- Mg/mL (milligrams per milliliter)
- Standard unit of concentration. Mass of peptide per volume of solvent. Multiply by 1000 to convert to mcg/mL.
- Reconstitution
- The process of dissolving a lyophilized peptide powder into a sterile liquid carrier (usually bacteriostatic water) to produce a working research solution at a known concentration.
Lab practice
- Aliquot
- A single-use portion of a reconstituted peptide solution, transferred into a separate container before freezing. Aliquoting prevents the entire stock from being subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles each time a portion is used.
- Insulin syringe (U-100)
- A syringe calibrated such that 100 units equal 1 mL. Used in research labs for precise small-volume draws at typical research peptide concentrations. On a U-100 syringe, 10 units = 0.1 mL.
Storage
- Freeze–thaw cycle
- One pass through the freeze-and-thaw process. Each cycle can degrade peptide structure. Aliquoting reconstituted solution into single-use portions limits each cycle to one aliquot.
- Stability
- The duration over which a peptide retains its structural and functional integrity under specified storage conditions. Stability depends on the peptide sequence, formulation, temperature, light exposure, and freeze–thaw history.
Inventory
- Batch number
- An identifier printed on a vial or its label that ties the vial to a specific production lot. Useful for laboratory traceability but does not itself imply any quality testing.
- Lyophilized cake
- The dry, often fluffy or powdery solid that remains in a vial after lyophilization. A well-formed cake indicates the freeze-drying process was successful. Liquefied, shrunken, or off-color cakes are reasons to reject a vial.
- Vial
- A small glass container, typically 2–10 mL volume, sealed with a rubber stopper and aluminum crimp cap. Standard packaging for lyophilized research peptides.
Manufacturing
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- A framework of production standards for pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing. GMP-aligned facilities follow practices intended to ensure consistent output but the term itself is not a quality guarantee for any specific batch.
- Lyophilization
- Freeze-drying. The process of removing water from a frozen peptide solution under low pressure to produce a stable powder (the lyophilized cake). Lyophilized peptides are stable for years under refrigeration.
- Sterile filtration (0.22 µm)
- Passing a solution through a 0.22-micron pore-size filter to remove bacteria and other particulates. Common step in peptide manufacturing prior to lyophilization.
Analysis
- HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
- An analytical technique for separating, identifying, and measuring the concentration of components in a mixture. Commonly used in research to confirm peptide purity and identity.
- Identity (peptide identity)
- Confirmation that the peptide in a vial is the molecule its label claims. Typically established by mass spectrometry. Kalon Research does not provide identity confirmation with shipments.
- Mass spectrometry
- An analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify and characterize molecules. Used to confirm peptide identity by comparing the observed mass to the theoretical mass of the target sequence.
Quality docs
- CoA (Certificate of Analysis)
- A document produced by an analytical laboratory reporting a peptide's identity, purity, and other measured properties. Kalon Research does not provide CoAs with shipments.
- Purity
- The fraction of a sample that consists of the target compound, typically expressed as a percentage by mass or peak area. Kalon Research does not represent or warrant any specific purity for products supplied.
Compliance
- RUO (Research Use Only)
- A classification indicating a product is sold for laboratory and research purposes only and is not intended for human or animal consumption, clinical, therapeutic, cosmetic, or veterinary use. All Kalon Research products are RUO.
Research
- In-vitro
- Latin for "in glass." Refers to experiments performed in a controlled laboratory environment outside a living organism — typically in cell culture, test tubes, or other vessels. Distinct from in-vivo.
Related research tools
Calculators and reference tables for the research lab.
For laboratory research use only. No quality control documentation provided. Buyer assumes all responsibility. All sales final.