Learning Center

Educational resources for researchers — curated by the Phase 1 Peptides team. Peptide science, laboratory best practices, lab result interpretation, and more.

Research Use Only

All content on this page is for educational purposes. Our products are supplied solely for laboratory and research use. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, clinical use, or therapeutic application.

Compounds

Compounds9 min read

BPC-157: Mechanism of Action and Research Applications

A research-focused primer on BPC-157 — its discovery, proposed mechanism of action, stability properties, and why it's commonly studied alongside TB-500.

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Compounds8 min read

Retatrutide: The Next-Generation Triple Agonist in Research

A research primer on retatrutide — mechanism as a triple GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor agonist, how it differs from tirzepatide, and stability considerations.

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Compounds8 min read

GHK-Cu in Laboratory Research: Copper Peptide Structure, Handling, and Analytical Context

GHK-Cu research primer: structural chemistry, copper coordination, HPLC purity and LC-MS analytical behavior, solubility, reconstitution, and storage for laboratory use.

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Compounds8 min read

TB-500: Thymosin β-4 Fragment — Structure, Mechanism, and Research Applications

A research primer on TB-500 — the synthetic thymosin β-4 fragment, its actin-sequestration mechanism, research applications in cellular migration and tissue repair models, and why it is commonly studied alongside BPC-157.

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Compounds7 min read

MOTS-c: The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide in Metabolic Research

A research primer on MOTS-c — the mitochondrial-encoded peptide, its AMPK-activating mechanism, role in metabolic homeostasis and cellular stress response, and current research applications.

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Compounds7 min read

Semax: ACTH-Derived Neuropeptide in Cognitive and Neuroprotection Research

A research primer on Semax — the synthetic ACTH(4-7) fragment, BDNF and NGF upregulation mechanism, neuroprotective research applications, and laboratory handling for the intranasal research compound.

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Compounds9 min read

CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin: The GHRH + GHRP Research Stack

A research primer on combining CJC-1295 (GHRH analog) with Ipamorelin (selective GHRP) — mechanism of dual-receptor growth hormone stimulation, comparison of DAC vs No DAC variants, and research protocol context.

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Compounds6 min read

Selank: Tuftsin-Derived Neuropeptide in Anxiolytic and Cognitive Research

A research primer on Selank — the synthetic tuftsin analog, its GABAergic and BDNF-mediated mechanisms, anxiolytic-profile research applications, and how it differs from and complements Semax in neuropeptide research.

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Compounds7 min read

Epitalon: Telomerase Activation and Longevity Research with the Tetrapeptide from Pineal Extract

A research primer on Epitalon — the synthetic tetrapeptide derived from epithalamin, its reported telomerase-activating mechanism, published longevity and aging-model research, and laboratory handling.

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Compounds7 min read

NAD+: Coenzyme Function, Sirtuin Pathways, and Cellular Aging Research

A research primer on NAD+ — its role as a redox coenzyme, the SIRT1/SIRT3 and PARP1 pathways it activates, why NAD+ levels decline in aging cell models, and how NMN and NR are studied as precursors.

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Compounds6 min read

Sermorelin: GHRH(1-29) Mechanism, Pulsatile GH Profiles, and Research Applications

A research primer on sermorelin — the native-sequence GHRH(1-29) peptide, how its short half-life produces pulsatile GH release, its mechanistic differences from CJC-1295, and its use in GH axis and somatotroph research models.

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Compounds6 min read

SS-31 (Elamipretide): Cardiolipin Targeting and Mitochondrial Research Applications

A research primer on SS-31 (elamipretide) — the synthetic tetrapeptide that targets the inner mitochondrial membrane via cardiolipin binding, its proposed mechanism for reducing oxidative stress and preserving ATP synthesis, and research applications in ischemia, aging, and mitochondrial dysfunction models.

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Compounds6 min read

Glutathione (GSH): Redox Biology, Antioxidant Mechanisms, and Research Applications

A research primer on glutathione (GSH) — the tripeptide antioxidant, its thiol-based redox mechanism, the glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase cycle, how GSH decline is studied in aging models, and laboratory handling for research use.

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Compounds6 min read

Tesamorelin: Full-Sequence GHRH Analog — Structure, Mechanism, and Research Context

A research primer on tesamorelin — the full 44-residue GHRH analog with N-terminal fatty acid modification, its GHRH receptor signaling mechanism, published clinical research context, and comparison to sermorelin and CJC-1295.

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Compounds5 min read

5-Amino-1MQ: NNMT Inhibition, NAD+ Metabolism, and Metabolic Research Applications

A research primer on 5-amino-1MQ — the cell-permeable NNMT inhibitor that redirects nicotinamide flux toward NAD+ biosynthesis by blocking nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, its mechanistic distinction from direct NAD+ precursors, and published research applications.

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Compounds5 min read

DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide): Neuropeptide Structure, BBB Permeability, and Research Applications

A research primer on DSIP — the nonapeptide first isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood during slow-wave sleep, its sequence, documented blood-brain barrier permeability, and research applications in sleep architecture, HPA axis, and neuromodulatory studies.

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Compounds6 min read

Mazdutide: GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Receptor Agonist — Receptor Biology and Research Context

A research primer on mazdutide (IBI362) — the once-weekly synthetic GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist, its receptor pharmacology on the incretin and glucagon axes, comparison to tirzepatide and retatrutide, and published clinical research context.

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Compounds6 min read

Cagrilintide: Long-Acting Amylin Analog — Receptor Pharmacology and GLP-1/Amylin Research Context

A research primer on cagrilintide — the once-weekly synthetic amylin analog, its amylin receptor pharmacology (calcitonin receptor + RAMP complexes), structural modifications enabling weekly dosing, and its research context as a standalone amylin-axis tool and as part of the CagriSema GLP-1/amylin combination.

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Compounds7 min read

Ipamorelin: Selective GHRP Pharmacology, Receptor Biology, and Research Applications

A dedicated research primer on ipamorelin — the selective pentapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist, its GHS-R1a mechanism, receptor selectivity advantages over first-generation GHRPs, half-life profile, and common research applications.

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Compounds8 min read

Kisspeptin in Laboratory Research: GnRH Signaling, HPG-Axis Context, and Analytical Handling

Kisspeptin research primer: KISS1-encoded peptides, KISS1R receptor activation, GnRH neuron signaling, HPG-axis context, and analytical handling notes.

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Comparisons

Comparisons10 min read

Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide: A Research Comparison

Side-by-side research comparison of semaglutide and tirzepatide — mechanism, receptor activity, half-life, and stability considerations for laboratory use.

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Comparisons7 min read

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Research Peptides: Tirzepatide, Retatrutide, Mazdutide, and Cagrilintide

A comparative overview of the major GLP-1 receptor agonist research peptides — receptor target profiles, half-life and dosing windows, mechanistic distinctions, and how to select the right analog for a given research design.

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Comparisons6 min read

GHRH Analog Comparison: Sermorelin, CJC-1295, and Tesamorelin in Research

A comparative overview of the three primary GHRH analog research peptides — sermorelin (native 1-29 sequence), CJC-1295 (stabilized 1-29 with optional DAC), and tesamorelin (full 44-aa with fatty acid) — covering sequence differences, half-life, pulsatility, and research design selection.

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Comparisons7 min read

Mitochondrial Research Compounds: MOTS-c, SS-31, NAD+, and Glutathione

A comparative overview of the four primary mitochondria-focused research compounds — MOTS-c (mtDNA-encoded peptide), SS-31 (cardiolipin-targeting tetrapeptide), NAD+ (sirtuin/PARP cosubstrate), and glutathione (redox antioxidant) — covering their distinct mechanisms, research applications, and complementary roles.

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Comparisons6 min read

Neuropeptide Research: Semax, Selank, and DSIP — Mechanisms and Applications

A comparative overview of three CNS neuropeptide research compounds — Semax (ACTH-derived, BDNF/dopaminergic), Selank (tuftsin-derived, GABAergic/anxiolytic), and DSIP (nonapeptide, BBB-permeable, sleep architecture/HPA axis) — covering their distinct mechanisms and research applications.

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Comparisons8 min read

Tissue Repair Research Peptides: BPC-157, TB-500, and GHK-Cu — Mechanisms and Comparison

A comparative overview of three peptides most frequently investigated in wound healing and tissue repair research models — BPC-157, TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4), and GHK-Cu — including mechanism matrices and laboratory protocol notes.

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Comparisons7 min read

GHRP Comparison: Ipamorelin, GHRP-6, GHRP-2, and Hexarelin — GHS-R1a Selectivity and Research Applications

A comparative overview of the four most frequently studied growth hormone releasing peptides — ipamorelin, GHRP-6, GHRP-2, and hexarelin — covering GHS-R1a pharmacology, cortisol/prolactin selectivity, structural differences, and research application contexts.

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Protocols

Protocols8 min read

Reconstituting Lyophilized Peptides in Research Settings

A technical reference describing how lyophilized research peptides are reconstituted with bacteriostatic water in standard laboratory settings — including concentration calculations, vial handling, and stability considerations for downstream research applications.

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Protocols9 min read

Peptide Storage & Stability: What Actually Matters

A technical deep dive on peptide storage — lyophilized vs reconstituted stability, freeze-thaw cycles, bacteriostatic water shelf life, and real-world degradation factors.

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Protocols5 min read

Bacteriostatic Water: Composition, Benzyl Alcohol Mechanism, and Laboratory Use

A laboratory reference on bacteriostatic water — its 0.9% benzyl alcohol formula, how benzyl alcohol suppresses microbial growth, why it extends reconstituted peptide vial life, and standard handling protocols for research labs.

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Protocols6 min read

Research Peptide Half-Life Reference: Study Design Planning Across GLP-1, GHRH, GHRP, and Neuropeptide Classes

A comprehensive half-life reference for research peptides — covering GLP-1 analogs, GHRH analogs, GHRPs, neuropeptides, mitochondrial peptides, tissue repair peptides, and small molecules — with notes on how half-life affects study timing and dosing interval design.

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Protocols8 min read

Peptide Concentration and Dilution Calculations for Research Protocols

A practical guide to calculating peptide solution concentrations — converting between mass, moles, and molar concentration units, preparing stock and working solutions from lyophilized peptides, and performing serial dilutions for in vitro research assays.

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Quality

Quality5 min read

Lab Testing & Verified Purity

How independent third-party analytical laboratories verify HPLC purity and LC-MS molecular identity for research peptides — testing methodology, result interpretation, and analytical documentation standards.

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Quality6 min read

Understanding Certificates of Analysis

How to read a COA, what HPLC and mass spectrometry results mean, and how to verify identity, purity, and net peptide content for your batch.

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Quality7 min read

How to Verify a Research Peptide Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Learn to read and verify a research peptide Certificate of Analysis. Covers HPLC purity, LC-MS identity confirmation, in-house vs. third-party COAs, red flags, and batch-level documentation.

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Quality7 min read

How to Read HPLC Purity Data on a Peptide Certificate of Analysis

A practical guide to interpreting HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) chromatograms and purity percentages on research peptide Certificates of Analysis — including what the retention time, peak area, and impurity peaks mean.

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Quality6 min read

TFA Content in Research Peptides: Salt Form, HPLC Purity, and How to Read It on a COA

A technical guide to trifluoroacetate (TFA) content in synthetic peptides — why TFA is introduced during HPLC analysis and solid-phase synthesis, how it appears on a COA, and what it means for HPLC purity percentages and research use.

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Quality7 min read

LC-MS Identity Confirmation: How Mass Spectrometry Verifies Research Peptide Structure

A technical guide to LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) identity verification for research peptides — how the instrument measures molecular weight, how to read m/z values and charge states on a Certificate of Analysis, and how LC-MS differs from HPLC purity testing.

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Quality7 min read

HPLC vs LC-MS in Peptide Research: Purity Analysis, Identity Confirmation, and COA Interpretation

What HPLC and LC-MS measure, how each result appears on a research peptide COA, and why both analytical methods are used together in batch documentation.

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Quality6 min read

What Research Use Only Means for Peptide Documentation, Handling, and Laboratory Context

A clear explanation of what Research Use Only (RUO) means for synthetic peptides — covering documentation standards, analytical testing, storage and handling protocols, and what RUO does not imply about product use.

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Quality7 min read

Peptide Certificate of Analysis Checklist: How to Review COA Documentation in Research Context

A structured checklist for reviewing research peptide COA documentation — covering product name, lot number, test date, HPLC purity, LC-MS identity, appearance, and what a COA can and cannot confirm in a laboratory research context.

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