Folded peptides - and peptide motifs within proteins - are abundant in living organisms, where they are essential for the biological activities of the peptides and proteins. During the past decades, much research has been dedicated to understanding the rules that govern peptide folding. Simultaneously, a range of strategies have been established for the conformational stabilization of bioactive peptides, as well as for the de novo design of peptides with defined secondary structures. These methods are either based on the chemical modification of the peptide backbone, such as cyclization and stapled peptides, or on the use of a range of non-proteinogenic amino acids that, in a defined sequential arrangement, induce secondary structures peptides. Such building blocks include D- and other non-proteinogenic amino acids, as well as beta- and gamma-amino acids. This Research Topic comprises a collection of papers by an international group of 77 scientists with a background in synthetic, analytical, computational and medicinal chemistry, as well as in biochemistry and pharmacology. Their research is presented here in a total of 11 papers (8 original research reports and 3 reviews), covering diverse aspects of folded synthetic peptides. These studies include the preparation and characterization of new peptide monomers with interesting folding properties, the synthesis and conformational analysis of non-natural peptides, as well as the use of folded peptidomimetics as molecular switches. Additionally, a range of biomedical applications, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and immune-stimulating activities, are also reported. We hope this eBook will be a source of inspiration and knowledge for scientist in various disciplines related to folded peptides and their many applications, as well as for those who want to learn more about this fascinating field of research.

Peptide Applications in Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Bioengineering summarizes the current knowledge on peptide applications in biomedicine, biotechnology and bioengineering. After a general introduction to peptides, the book addresses the many applications of peptides in biomedicine and medical technology. Next, the text focuses on peptide applications in biotechnology and bioengineering and reviews of peptide applications in nanotechnology. This book is a valuable resource for biomaterial scientists, polymer scientists, bioengineers, mechanical engineers, synthetic chemists, medical doctors and biologists. - Presents a self-contained work for the field of biomedical peptides - Summarizes the current knowledge on peptides in biomedicine, biotechnology and bioengineering - Covers current and potential applications of biomedical peptides

With contributions from experts in the field, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the oxidative folding of cysteine-rich peptides.

Synthesis of Polypeptides by Ring-Opening Polymerization of α-Amino Acid N-Carboxyanhydrides, by Jianjun Cheng and Timothy J. Deming.- Peptide Synthesis and Self-Assembly, by S. Maude, L. R. Tai, R. P. W. Davies, B. Liu, S. A. Harris, P. J. Kocienski and A. Aggeli.- Elastomeric Polypeptides, by Mark B. van Eldijk, Christopher L. McGann, Kristi L. Kiick andJan C. M. van Hest.- Self-Assembled Polypeptide and Polypeptide Hybrid Vesicles: From Synthesis to Application, by Uh-Joo Choe, Victor Z. Sun, James-Kevin Y. Tan and Daniel T. Kamei.- Peptide-Based and Polypeptide-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering, by Aysegul Altunbas and Darrin J. Pochan.-

Solid-binding peptides have been used increasingly as molecular building blocks in nanobiotechnology as they can direct the assembly and functionalisation of a diverse range of materials and have the ability to regulate the synthesis of nanoparticles and complex nanostructures. Nanostructured materials such as β-sheet fibril-forming peptides and α-helical coiled coil systems have displayed many useful properties including stimulus-responsiveness, modularity and multi-functionality, providing potential technological applications in tissue engineering, antimicrobials, drug delivery and nanoscale electronics. The current situation with respect to self-assembling peptides and bioactive matrices for regenerative medicine are reviewed, as well as peptide-target modeling and an examination of future prospects for peptides in these areas.

Covers all facets of the synthesis of ß-amino acids As evidenced by an exponential increase in the literature published on the subject, interest in ß-amino acids has grown over the past several years. With major pharmaceutical applications, these amino acids are now studied across multiple lines of research, including combinatorial chemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular design, proteomics, and others. This Second Edition of Enantioselective Synthesis of ß-Amino Acids updates reviews included in the First Edition while also covering new developments since its publication. The book presents detailed discussions of the most important methods for the synthesis of ß-amino acids. In most cases, the lead chemist who originally developed a method provides an authoritative description of it. In addition, Enantioselective Synthesis of ß-Amino Acids, Second Edition: * Features introductory overviews on the structural types of relevant ß-amino acid targets and salient ß-amino acids present in natural products * Dedicates several chapters to advances in the synthesis of oligomers from ß-amino acids * Includes general and practical procedures for the preparation of ß-amino acids in each chapter * Discusses the most important methods that have been recently developed for the asymmetric synthesis of cyclic and open-chain ß-amino acids * Includes a report on the preparation of libraries of enantiopure ß-amino acids using combinatorial approaches The only book of its kind available today, Enantioselective Synthesis of ß-Amino Acids, Second Edition offers upper-level students and professionals an essential resource for pharmaceutical development, medicinal chemistry, and biochemistry.

Annotation This book is aimed at two audiences. First, it will present evidence for the earthworm's immune system. Second, the results strongly suggest that certain molecules of the earthworm's immune system may be exploited as natural antibiotics--thus the biomedical applications. There are two advantages for using earthworms. First, they are an inexpensive, non-controversial invertebrate model. Second, in contrast to other invertebrates (e.g. Drosophila, C elegans) they are essential for maintaining the integrity of soil. Earthworms have a highly effective immune system since cancer cannot be induced in them nor does it seem to occur in natural populations. Cytotoxicity of cancer cells has been examined in relation to two earthworm leukocytes based upon: structure; cell differentiation antigens; function revealed by FACS and mAbs. These cells are SMALL (8-11 m) electron dense (SC), positive for human cell adhesion molecules (CD11a, CD45RA, CD45RO, CDw49b, CD54, for?2-microglobulin and for Thy-1; LARGE (12-15 m) electron lucent cells (LC), negative for these same markers. Leukocytes synthesize and secrete lytic molecules (fetidins, CCF-1, lysenin, eiseniapore) participate in recognition of, binding to, killing and sequestration of cancer cells in vitro. Earthworm lytic levels are significantly higher than those of human NK cells. Earthworms possess a highly evolved, unique and efficient immune system that has facilitated long-term survival.