Molecular biology can be a bit confusing at times. However, unlike the opinion of people in general. Molecular biology tends to carry some assumptions about inherent complexity.
And this is often the farthest thing from the truth. In fact, molecular biology often highlights the very simple parts that make up complex processes.
By understanding the building blocks of biology, one can often create a wide variety of innovative solutions. Understand how bricks work and one can rebuild a broken structure, or maybe even build one from scratch.
Understand the building blocks of biology and one can perform analogous feats at the cellular level. A recent example of this process in action can be found with peptide research.
The basic structure of a peptide
Peptides are not the simplest biological elements. But it’s pretty close to that point. The technical details are a bit more complex than this simple description. But one can understand it as the development of complexity from amino acids to peptides to proteins.
Another popular analogy compares biology to language. Amino acids are analogous to words and peptides to complete sentences. The amino acids themselves are usually made by breaking down the more complex structures of proteins. This protein substance is usually absorbed through the digestive system of living things. From there the mass of amino acids is utilized and combined to form a number of different active elements.
But peptides are one of the most interesting elements. They are noted for their relative simplicity. Peptides generally consist of less than fifty amino acids, whereas proteins consist of polypeptides bound by ligands. It’s easy to see how this fits in with the previous linguistic analogy.
But the simplicity of the peptides also allows for more efficient intervention by researchers. In fact, they can easily take advantage of Custom Peptide Synthesis to investigate a theory or treatment.
How do peptides work
Peptides usually act in one of two main ways. It is either incorporated into larger protein structures or used as a method of biological communication within larger systems. As a communication agent, it basically attaches to cell surface receptors.
One thing that is interesting, however, is how and where this happened. Communication within the body is usually very different from that occurring within the brain or other organisms. But peptides are unique in that they can basically function as neurotransmitters in the brain. Or they can work with non-neural cells throughout the body.
Real world example
At a practical research level, peptides are used for a variety of purposes. And this tends to reflect the interests of the surrounding culture. Now, food waste is a big concern. It is often difficult to secure and distribute a sustainable food supply to the world at large.
But researchers have started working with CLE peptides as agricultural agents. Peptides exist and work in plants just like they do in mammals. And CLE peptides have been shown to regulate growth.
This shows great potential to enhance overall growth. And in turn, later on, there is the potential to improve overall distribution due to a more efficient growth cycle. This could be a major step forward in the fight against hunger or malnutrition.
Another example can be found in something we have all experienced. Researchers have found that encouragement to hug probably regulated by a peptide called oxytocin. It may also, based on rat studies, help regulate feelings of attraction and even platonic friendship.
Future
The power of peptides cannot be overstated. And at the same time, one cannot overestimate the importance of the new field of production of synthetic peptides. New peptides can be designed in the laboratory. And they have all the power and applicability of standard peptides. Sometimes this may mean a 1 to 1 recreation of the existing peptide. Or maybe something new.
The fact that peptides are capable of many things has made synthetically produced peptides the preferred method of extracellular matrix construction. And they are shown to have applications as a method of treating cancer as well. The future is always difficult to predict. But it’s clear that peptide research is yielding some remarkable results.
