Research Library · Glossary
Research Peptide Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the analytical, compound, and handling terms you'll encounter across the Ethos Bio catalog and certificates. For laboratory research use only.
Analytical & Quality
Testing & Verification Terms
- HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
- A separation method that resolves a sample into its components by physical properties and integrates the result to quantify the target compound against impurities. It produces the primary purity percentage on a Certificate of Analysis. See how we test →
- Mass Spectrometry (MS)
- An identity method that measures a compound's molecular mass and compares the observed value to the theoretical mass of the intended sequence. Purity tells you how much target is present; MS confirms it is the correct molecule.
- Monoisotopic Mass
- The mass of a molecule calculated using the principal isotope of each element. For peptides it is used to precisely confirm identity against the theoretical sequence mass.
- Purity (%)
- The proportion of a sample that is the target compound, most commonly reported by reverse-phase HPLC. A common research-grade specification is ≥99%.
- Net Peptide Content
- The share of a vial's mass that is actual peptide, excluding bound water, salts, and counter-ions — so a stated milligram amount reflects peptide rather than fillers or residual solvent.
- Endotoxin / LAL
- A bacterial contaminant screened by the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. Endotoxin is not detected by HPLC purity and is assessed separately, which is why it appears on an extended testing panel.
- Heavy Metals (ICP-MS)
- Elemental contaminants such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, screened by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry against recognized elemental-impurity limits.
- Sterility / Bioburden
- An assessment of microbial load on a material, complementing endotoxin screening for a fuller picture of contamination.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- A laboratory-issued document reporting the measured identity and purity of a specific lot. A meaningful COA names the testing lab, references a specific batch, states the methods, and reports results against acceptance criteria. View certificates →
- Lot / Batch Number
- A unique identifier assigned to a single production run that ties a physical vial back to its specific test report, enabling traceability.
- Acceptance Criteria
- The predefined specification a result must meet for a lot to be released (for example, ≥99% purity). Results reported without criteria are difficult to interpret.
Compound Science
Peptide & Chemistry Terms
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Research peptides are synthesized to a defined sequence and studied in vitro or in animal models.
- Amino Acid Sequence
- The ordered list of amino acids that defines a peptide's structure and, in turn, its research behavior. Sequences are commonly written in three-letter code (e.g. Gly-Glu-Pro).
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- The mass of one molecule of a compound, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). MW is a basic identifier reported for every compound.
- CAS Number
- A unique registry identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to a specific chemical substance, used to reference a compound unambiguously.
- Lyophilized
- Freeze-dried to a stable powder by removing water under vacuum. Most research peptides ship lyophilized to preserve stability during storage and transit.
- Reconstitution
- The laboratory step of dissolving a lyophilized compound in an appropriate solvent to prepare a working solution for research.
- Acetate / TFA Salt
- Counter-ion forms in which many synthetic peptides are supplied. The salt form affects net peptide content and is one reason quantity is measured, not assumed.
- Analog
- A compound structurally modified from a parent molecule to change properties such as stability or half-life, while retaining a related mechanism of interest.
Pathways & Targets
Mechanism Terms
- GHRH Analog
- A compound modeled on growth-hormone-releasing hormone, studied for its effect on the growth-hormone axis in research models. Compare GHRH analogs →
- Ghrelin Receptor / Secretagogue
- A growth-hormone secretagogue acts at the ghrelin (GHS-R) receptor. This class is studied separately from GHRH analogs and is often evaluated alongside it.
- GLP-1 & GIP (Incretins)
- Incretin pathways central to glucose-metabolism research. Single, dual, and triple receptor agonists are studied for their signaling profiles. Compare incretin compounds →
- Amylin
- A peptide-hormone pathway studied for satiety signaling; amylin analogs are frequently compared with incretin agonists in metabolic research.
- AMPK
- AMP-activated protein kinase, a central cellular energy sensor. Several mitochondrial and metabolic research compounds are studied for AMPK activation.
- Telomerase
- An enzyme that maintains chromosomal telomeres; a focus of genomic and cellular-aging research for certain compounds.
- Angiogenesis
- The formation of new blood vessels. Some regenerative research compounds are studied for angiogenic signaling in endothelial-cell assays.
- BDNF
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a signaling protein studied in neuroprotection and cognitive research contexts.
Handling & Compliance
Storage & Regulatory Terms
- Research Use Only (RUO)
- A designation indicating a material is supplied strictly for laboratory research and is not for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Cold Chain
- A temperature-controlled handling process that keeps sensitive materials refrigerated from the fulfillment center through transit, with temperature logging where required.
- Reference Standard
- A well-characterized material used to benchmark analytical measurements, supporting reproducible identity and purity results.
- Chain of Custody
- The documented path a material and its samples follow from production through independent testing to release, supporting traceability.
Every term above maps to how we verify each lot — an independent five-point panel with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. See how we test →