Peptide Synthesis
Proteins play a pivotal role in all life processes. They serve as construction materials, transmit messages from cell to cell, and are responsible for regulating metabolism. Proteins are long chains of amino acids, shorter chains are called peptides. Our working group produces peptides for different scientific purposes. They can be used, for example, to identify substances that are recognized by antibodies. Dynamic interactions between nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) and proteins as well as the transport of substances through biological membranes can also be studied with the aid of peptides. Peptides are indispensable for developing treatment approaches at a molecular level, for example, when these involve suppressing specific gene functions. Specially synthesized peptides also facilitate advances in future methods of imaging diagnostics such as magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Researchers are also using peptides to study the interrelations between the structure and function of proteins using computer-assisted methods.
Services
The peptide Synthesis Unit provides services to DKFZ members and scientific visitors. The services cover peptides of any length including all types of modifications (except radioactive labelings). Please also enquire for minute and bulk amounts of peptides. Pricing is provided on the GPCF pricelist.
Please use the peptide request form to order your peptides of interest, and send the completed form to Dr. Rüdiger Pipkorn. To discuss any specific demand please contact me directly.
Peptide Applications
Beside standard usage of peptides, including immunization of animals for antibody production, more modern applications have been described. These include the use of labeled peptides as markers for specific cellular compartments, or the utilization of peptides as carriers for other molecules (e.g. drugs), see Google for general description.
Figure1: Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy pictures of human embryonic lung (HEL) cells.The intracellular compartiments (nucleus-green,mitochondria-green,lysosomes-red) are displayed by multilabelled differential addressed peptides.
Figure2: Schematized modular Structure of peptide-based Carrier to facilitate the Transport of Drugs or Diagnostics across the cellular membranes.
References
Pipkorn R, Waldeck W, Spring H, Jenne JW, Braun K.
Delivery of substances and their target-specific topical activation.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 May;1758(5):606-10.
Braun K, Pipkorn R, Waldeck W.
Development and characterization of drug delivery systems for targeting mammalian cells and tissues: a review.
Curr Med Chem. 2005;12(16):1841-58.
Pipkorn R, Waldeck W, Braun K.
Synthesis and application of functional peptides as cell nucleus-directed molecules in the treatment of malignant diseases.
J Mol Recognit. 2003 Sep-Oct;16(5):240-7.
Pipkorn R, Boenke C, Gehrke M, Hoffmann R.
High-throughput peptide synthesis and peptide purification strategy at the low micromol-scale using the 96-well format.
J Pept Res. 2002 Mar;59(3):105-14.
Pipkorn R, Waldeck W, Didinger B, Koch M, Mueller G, Wiessler M, Braun K.
Inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction as a highly efficient chemoselective ligation procedure: synthesis and function of a BioShuttle for temozolomide transport into prostate cancer cells.
J Pept Sci. 2009 Mar;15(3):235-41.
