Peptide Perfection

The goal in this research project was to synthesize antimicrobial peptides that are short in length. To facilitate the proper formation of the peptide bonds a protective group was used. These projecting groups ensure that side reactions between free amino and carboxylic acid groups don’t occur. In this project Lysine was used, and since it contains two amine groups, both will be protected by the BOC group. The carboxylic acid will remain reactive. The reaction was then monitored by TLC to determine the reaction has finished. The peptide used, BOC-FF-OMe, will have its carboxylic acid protected with a methyl ester and the BOC group will be removed to free the amine group. In the final step, the peptide bond will be formed with ac coupling reagent, EDC. To ensure the reaction was successful, the synthesized protected amino acids and the final peptide will be analyzed by HNMR and the antimicrobial activity will be studied with growth inhibition assay using optical density measurement at 600nm.