This glossary explains common terms used in peptide science, analytical testing, and laboratory handling.
All products supplied by Imperial Peptides UK are Research Use Only (RUO) and are not intended for human or animal use, medical treatment, diagnosis, or cosmetic application.
Core Peptide Concepts
Amino Acid
Small organic molecules that are the fundamental building blocks of peptides and proteins. Each amino acid has an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a distinctive side chain.
Peptide
A short chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Peptides can range from just a few amino acids to several dozen and are widely used as tools in biochemical and cell-based research.
Peptide Bond
The covalent bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another, releasing water. This bond links amino acids into peptide chains.
Oligopeptide
A relatively short peptide, typically containing between 2 and ~20 amino acids.
Polypeptide
A longer chain of amino acids. When chains become sufficiently long and complex, they are usually referred to as proteins.
Peptide Sequence
The specific order of amino acids in a peptide, usually written using standard one-letter or three-letter amino acid codes (e.g. “Gly-His-Lys”).
Bioactive Peptide
A peptide that, in biological or clinical literature, is reported to influence cellular or physiological processes (for example signalling, receptor activation, or enzyme modulation). On this site, all such materials are supplied strictly as RUO reagents.
Peptidomimetic
A molecule designed to mimic the structure or function of a natural peptide while often improving stability, selectivity, or resistance to degradation.
Classes & Types of Peptides
Research Peptide
A synthetic peptide manufactured for use in laboratory research only. Research peptides are not manufactured, marketed, or supplied as medicines, medical devices, or food supplements.
Neuropeptide
Peptides discussed in scientific literature as signalling molecules within the nervous system, where they modulate processes such as pain, appetite, or mood. Any neuropeptide-related materials supplied by Imperial Peptides UK are RUO only.
Growth Hormone–Releasing Peptide (GHRP)
A family of synthetic peptides (e.g. GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Ipamorelin) that, in research contexts, are studied for their interactions with growth hormone–related pathways. Supplied exclusively for in-vitro and pre-clinical research use.
GHRH Analogue / CJC-Type Peptide
Synthetic analogues of growth hormone–releasing hormone described in the literature (e.g. Modified GRF 1-29). Used as research tools to study receptor signalling and endocrine pathways in experimental systems.
Thymosin-Related Peptides (e.g. TB-500 / Thymosin β4 fragments)
Peptide fragments derived from or inspired by thymosin β4, used in research to investigate cell migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, and tissue biology. All such materials from Imperial Peptides UK are RUO and not for therapeutic use.
Copper-Binding Peptide (e.g. GHK-Cu)
Short peptides that form complexes with copper ions in vitro. GHK-Cu is widely studied in the literature for roles in cellular signalling and extracellular matrix biology; here it is provided solely as a research reagent.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Peptides designed to engage incretin-related receptors (e.g. GLP-1, GIP, glucagon receptors) in experimental systems. Any “GLP-1” listed by Imperial Peptides UK is supplied for laboratory research only and is not a medicinal product.
Synthetic Peptide
A peptide produced by chemical synthesis (e.g. solid-phase peptide synthesis) rather than extracted from natural sources. This is the standard route for most research peptides.
Laboratory & Handling Terms
Lyophilised (Freeze-Dried)
A peptide that has been dried under low temperature and vacuum to remove water, creating a stable powder that is easier to store and ship.
Reconstitution
The process of dissolving a lyophilised peptide in an appropriate solvent (such as sterile water or bacteriostatic water) to prepare a solution for use in experiments.
Solvent
A liquid, such as water or certain laboratory-grade organic solvents, used to dissolve a substance. Only appropriate, validated solvents should be used when preparing peptide solutions for research.
Diluent
A liquid used to dilute a concentrated peptide solution to a desired working concentration without altering its integrity or experimental purpose.
Bacteriostatic Water
Sterile water that contains a preservative (commonly 0.9% benzyl alcohol) to inhibit bacterial growth in multi-dose research vials. Supplied for laboratory use only, not as a medicinal product.
Sterile Water
Water that has been rendered free from viable microorganisms. In a research context it is used to reconstitute or dilute reagents under aseptic conditions.
pH
A scale describing how acidic or basic a solution is. Maintaining suitable pH is essential for peptide stability and for the accuracy of many experiments.
Osmolarity
A measure of the total concentration of solute particles in solution, influencing how water moves across cell membranes. Often considered when formulating buffers for cell-based assays.
Excipient
An inactive component—such as mannitol or trehalose—used in peptide formulations to support stability, solubility, or lyophilisation characteristics.
Analytical Testing & Quality Terms
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
An analytical technique used to separate components in a mixture. For peptides, HPLC is routinely used to estimate purity and detect related impurities or by-products.
Mass Spectrometry (MS)
A method that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. In peptide analysis, MS is used to confirm the molecular weight and identity of the peptide.
Purity (Area %)
A percentage value, typically derived from HPLC, indicating how much of the sample corresponds to the main peptide peak compared to other detectable peaks.
Identity Testing
Analytical procedures (such as MS, NMR, or sequence confirmation) used to verify that the peptide is the intended sequence and structure.
Endotoxin
Lipopolysaccharide contaminants derived from Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxin levels are often measured (e.g. by LAL assay) where low-endotoxin materials are required for cell-based or in-vitro studies.
Microbial Limits Testing
Testing used to determine whether microbial contamination is present within acceptable limits for a given material, according to defined methods.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
A document provided for each batch that summarises key analytical data (e.g. purity, identity, endotoxin results, appearance, batch number). Imperial Peptides UK issues CoAs to support transparent, research-grade quality documentation.
Batch / Lot Number
A unique identifier assigned to a specific manufacturing batch of a product. It allows traceability of analytical data and quality documentation for that batch.
GMP vs Research Grade
“GMP” (Good Manufacturing Practice) refers to stringent quality and regulatory standards used for licensed medicines. Research-grade peptides, such as those supplied by Imperial Peptides UK, are not manufactured under GMP for clinical use and are intended solely for pre-clinical and laboratory research.
Storage, Safety & Documentation
Cold Chain
The controlled temperature conditions required during storage and shipment (e.g. refrigerated or frozen) to maintain product integrity.
Stability
How well a peptide maintains its structure and analytical characteristics over time under specified storage conditions.
Shelf Life
The period during which a product is expected to remain within its specification when stored correctly. Shelf life for research peptides is typically based on internal stability data.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS)
A document that provides safety and handling information for chemicals, including hazards, PPE requirements, and guidance on storage, spill response, and disposal.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
UK regulations that require employers and laboratories to control exposure to hazardous substances. Researchers using peptides in the UK should ensure their work complies with COSHH requirements.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protective clothing and equipment such as gloves, lab coats, and eye protection used to minimise exposure to hazardous materials in the lab.
Regulatory & Compliance Terms (UK Context)
Research Use Only (RUO)
A label indicating that a product is supplied exclusively for laboratory research purposes. RUO products are not licensed as medicines, medical devices, diagnostic tools, or food supplements, and must not be used for such purposes.
Human Medicinal Product
Under UK and EU law, a product that is presented as treating or preventing disease in humans, or that modifies physiological functions through pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic action. Imperial Peptides UK does not market or supply medicinal products.
Medical Device
An instrument, apparatus, or similar product used to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat, or alleviate disease. Peptides listed on this website are not medical devices and must not be used as such.
Food Supplement
A product intended to supplement the normal diet, taken orally in measured doses (e.g. capsules, tablets, liquids). Peptides supplied by Imperial Peptides UK are not food supplements and are not for ingestion.
MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)
The UK regulator responsible for medicines, medical devices, and certain borderline products. MHRA guidance is central in determining whether a product is being marketed or used as a medicine or device.
Off-Label / Non-Authorised Use
The use of a substance in a way that falls outside its authorised or intended purpose, particularly in humans or animals. Imperial Peptides UK does not condone or support any non-research use of its products.
Pharmacovigilance
The monitoring of the safety of medicines in clinical use, including the detection and prevention of adverse effects. As Imperial Peptides UK supplies RUO materials and not licensed medicines, standard pharmacovigilance frameworks for medicinal products are not applicable.
Disclaimer
This glossary is provided for educational and informational purposes only, to help researchers understand terminology commonly used in peptide science and analytical testing.
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Products supplied by Imperial Peptides UK are Research Use Only (RUO).
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They are not intended for human or animal administration, clinical use, diagnosis, therapy, or cosmetic application.
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Nothing in this glossary should be interpreted as medical advice, product endorsement for clinical use, or a claim of therapeutic effect.
