This small peptide expression technique effectively expresses small peptides through gene delivery in mammalian cells providing promising targets for therapeutic interventions for many pathological conditions. The use of peptides as mainstream drug candidates has been hampered by their low bioavailability, short half-life, and potential immune responses following repeated administration. Researchers at the University of Florida have designed an expression technique that allows for continuous and high-level expression of short peptides. This device can be used as a research tool for developing pharmacological agents targeting many pathological processes including hypertension, cancer, tumor-specific angiogenesis, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes and diabetic complications. The technique also has therapeutic potential in its own right as a platform for peptide delivery.
Research of numerous biological processes in mammalian cells and treatment of various diseases using peptide-based therapies
The drug delivery market is constantly growing and changing as new developments arise. It is important to employ the most effective and efficient treatment available to patients. Currently, when the superior form or treatment is small peptides, they are unavailable to patients because they are difficult to produce in large amounts and difficult to deliver to target cells. With this technology, it is possible to continuously produce small peptides in large quantities in situ in a cost effective manner. Using this system, a plasmid will be available for use in both in vitro and in vivo studies.