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Glossary

Short, jargon-free definitions of terms that come up across the explainers and interviews.

Peptide+
A short chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds — same chemistry as a protein, just shorter (roughly up to 50 amino acids).
Amino acid+
The building block of peptides and proteins. Twenty standard ones are used to build most biological chains.
Reconstitution+
Dissolving a freeze-dried (lyophilised) powder in liquid — for research peptides, usually bacteriostatic water.
Bacteriostatic water+
Sterile water containing a small amount of benzyl alcohol (typically 0.9%) that slows microbial growth, allowing a vial to be used more than once.
In vitro / in vivo+
"In glass" (cells or tissue in a dish) versus "in a living organism." Results in one don't automatically transfer to the other.
Angiogenesis+
The growth of new small blood vessels from existing ones.
Fibroblast+
A cell that produces collagen and the structural framework of connective tissue.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)+
A lab document reporting a batch's identity and purity. Its value depends on who did the testing and how.
Half-life+
How long it takes for half of a substance to break down or clear from the body. Short half-lives are a big part of why many peptides are fragile and hard to deliver effectively.

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