The American Peptide Society (APS) is a scientific society devoted to the study of peptides, chains of amino acid residues with remarkable biological functions ranging from hormonal regulation to antibiotic activities. Its membership includes scientists in academia, industry and government working on all aspects of peptide chemistry, biology and pharmaceutical science.
The Society promotes equity, diversity and inclusion among its members. This includes fostering a community that is welcoming to all peptide scientists, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.
In recognition of the importance of peptides in chemical, structural, materials, biological and pharmaceutical research, the APS organizes annual meetings to showcase this exciting science. The 29th American Peptide Symposium is being held in Scottsdale, Arizona in June, 2019 with the theme “At the Peptide Frontier.”
Achieving rational design of peptides as potential therapeutic agents requires refinement of one’s understanding of the bioactive conformation. This is achieved through sophisticated techniques such as NMR in different solvent systems, coupled with molecular modeling in different environments and X-ray crystallography.
Recent progress in developing peptide therapeutics targeting the Ras superfamily of GTPases has been summarized in the first Review by Catherine A. Hurd, Helen R. Mott and Darerca Owen.
We have adapted nature’s machines for efficient macromolecule delivery into cells, invented flow technologies for rapid biopolymer production and discovered peptide binders to proteins. The future holds a wide range of potential applications for these chemistries, including peptide hormone analogs that can increase potency and duration of action. We also have a number of peptides that have unique biological profiles against pain states in which opiates and other current drugs for pain have minimal or no efficacy, using standard doses and with little or no toxicity.