Overview

Our biochemical systems research bridges molecular characterization and biological function. We investigate how peptides and small molecules interact with their biological targets—measuring binding affinities, enzyme kinetics, and downstream pathway effects.

This work helps establish the mechanistic basis for compound activity and provides essential data for understanding structure-function relationships in aging-relevant pathways.

Capabilities

Receptor binding assays (radioligand and fluorescence-based)
Enzyme kinetic analysis (Km, Vmax, IC50 determination)
Competitive binding and displacement studies
Signal transduction pathway analysis
Protein-protein interaction studies
Dose-response characterization

Systems Under Investigation

GHRH/Ghrelin Axis

Studying receptor interactions and signaling cascades involved in growth hormone regulation.

Incretin Signaling

Investigating GLP-1 and GIP receptor activation and their metabolic downstream effects.

Melanocortin System

Characterizing peptide interactions with MC receptors and associated pathway activation.

Approach

We employ validated biochemical assays with appropriate controls and replicate measurements to ensure data quality. All binding and kinetic parameters are determined using established methods and reported with associated confidence intervals.

Our biochemical data directly informs both our molecular sciences work (guiding synthesis priorities) and our preclinical methods (establishing relevant concentration ranges for cellular studies).