A plain-language reference for the terms you will meet across Aurevena’s product pages, Certificates of Analysis, and research guides — from analytical methods to receptor pharmacology. Definitions are educational; all compounds referenced are supplied strictly for in-vitro and laboratory research, not for human or veterinary use.

A

Acetate salt

The salt form most research peptides are supplied in. The added counter-ions are why a vial’s measured mass can exceed the peptide’s free-base molecular weight.

Agonist

A molecule that binds a receptor and activates it, producing a signalling response (contrast with antagonist).

Amino acid

The building-block molecules that link in sequence to form peptides and proteins.

AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)

A cellular energy-sensing enzyme studied as a target in metabolic research.

Analog

A compound structurally modified from a parent molecule, often to change stability or receptor selectivity.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels; a process studied in tissue-repair models.

Antimicrobial peptide

A peptide studied for activity against microorganisms as part of innate host defence (e.g., LL-37).

B

Bacteriostatic water

Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides for multi-use laboratory handling.

Batch (lot)

A single production run of a compound; each batch carries its own Certificate of Analysis.

Bioregulator

A short peptide studied for regulatory signalling effects on specific tissues (e.g., Epitalon, Pinealon).

C

CAS number

A unique Chemical Abstracts Service registry identifier assigned to a chemical substance.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A laboratory document reporting a batch’s identity, purity, and test results. See how to read a COA.

Cyclic peptide

A peptide whose backbone or side chains form a ring, often improving stability (e.g., PT-141, Melanotan 2).

D

DAC (Drug Affinity Complex)

A chemical modification that binds a peptide to serum albumin to extend its half-life (e.g., CJC-1295 with DAC).

Dual agonist

A single molecule that activates two receptors — for example a GLP-1/GIP dual incretin agonist. See the incretin agonist comparison.

E

ERR (estrogen-related receptor)

A nuclear-receptor family studied as a metabolic research target (e.g., SLU-PP-332).

F

Free base

The neutral, salt-free form of a compound; its molecular weight is lower than the corresponding salt form.

G

GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone)

A hypothalamic peptide whose analogs (e.g., Sermorelin, CJC-1295) are studied for growth-hormone-axis signalling.

GIP receptor

The receptor for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, one of the two incretin receptors.

GLP-1 receptor

The receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1, a central incretin signalling receptor.

Glucagon receptor

The receptor for glucagon, targeted by triple incretin research agonists in addition to GLP-1 and GIP.

Growth hormone secretagogue

A compound that stimulates growth-hormone-releasing pathways in research models (e.g., Ipamorelin, GHRP-6).

H

Half-life

The time for half of a compound to be eliminated or degraded; a pharmacokinetic property reported in the literature.

HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography)

An analytical method used to measure peptide purity; the basis of most Certificate-of-Analysis purity figures.

HPG axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, a reproductive-signalling pathway studied in endocrine research.

I

Incretin

Gut hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) that potentiate glucose-dependent insulin signalling; the basis of incretin receptor agonist research. See the comparison.

In vitro

Latin for “in glass” — experiments performed in cells or a controlled laboratory environment rather than a living organism.

L

Lyophilization (freeze-drying)

Removing water from a frozen peptide under vacuum to yield a stable dry powder.

Lyophilized powder

The dried, stable form in which peptides ship; reconstituted before use. See the reconstitution & storage handbook.

M

Mass spectrometry (MS)

An analytical method that measures molecular mass to confirm a peptide’s identity.

Melanocortin receptor

A receptor family (e.g., MC4R) studied in endocrine and pigmentation research (e.g., PT-141, Melanotan 2).

Mitochondrial-derived peptide

A peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA (e.g., MOTS-c) studied in metabolic research.

Molecular formula

The count of each atom type in a molecule (e.g., C62H98N16O22 for BPC-157).

Molecular weight

The mass of a molecule in daltons (Da). “Average” and “monoisotopic” values differ in how isotopes are counted.

Monoisotopic mass

Mass calculated using the most abundant isotope of each element; the value typically matched in mass spectrometry.

N

Net peptide content

The fraction of a vial’s mass that is actual peptide, excluding bound salt and water; reported on some Certificates of Analysis.

NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase)

An enzyme studied as a metabolic research target (e.g., 5-Amino-1MQ).

P

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; longer chains fold into proteins.

Preclinical

Research conducted in cells or animal models, before any human study.

Purity

The percentage of a sample that is the intended compound, typically measured by HPLC.

R

Receptor

A protein that binds a signalling molecule and triggers a cellular response.

Reconstitution

Dissolving a lyophilized peptide in a solvent such as bacteriostatic water to prepare a working solution. See the handbook.

Research use only (RUO)

Material supplied strictly for laboratory research — not for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, or treatment.

S

Secretagogue

A substance that causes another substance to be secreted — for example a growth-hormone secretagogue.

Sequence

The ordered list of amino acids in a peptide, written from the N-terminus to the C-terminus.

SPPS (solid-phase peptide synthesis)

The standard chemistry used to build synthetic peptides one amino acid at a time on a solid resin.

T

TFA salt

Trifluoroacetate salt form — another counter-ion form in which some research peptides are supplied.

Triple agonist

A single molecule that activates three receptors — for example a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple incretin agonist. See the comparison.

Looking for a specific compound? Browse the research categories, or start with our guides: reconstitution & storage, how to read a COA, and incretin receptor agonists.