Reflecting work in the Legleiter Lab
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fragments are known to form amyloid fibrils, but far less is understood about the prefibrillar states that emerge along the way, or how those intermediates interact with lipid membranes in ways that could drive toxicity. In a study published in Biochemistry, researchers in the Legleiter lab...
Reflecting work in the Lassogen Lab
A major barrier to durable responses with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors is the activation of immunosuppressive TGF-β within the tumor microenvironment. This immunosuppression is driven in large part by the RGD-binding integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8, which are upregulated across many solid tumors. Direct systemic blockade of TGF-β has proven toxic...
Reflecting work in the Wright Lab
The misfolding and aggregation of transthyretin, TTR, a serum protein responsible for transporting thyroxine and retinol binding protein, underlies a class of amyloid diseases that include TTR cardiomyopathy and polyneuropathy. In these disorders, the native tetrameric structure of TTR becomes destabilized...
Reflecting work in the Goldberg Lab
Lysine lactylation, Kla, has emerged as a post-translational modification, PTM, directly linking glycolytic metabolism to protein regulation. While earlier models invoked lactyl-CoA–dependent transfer or non-enzymatic reactions via lactoylglutathione, the enzymatic basis of Kla remained uncertain...
Reflecting work in the Zeglis Group
For two decades, immunoconjugates have been a mainstay of targeted oncology, from antibody–drug conjugates to radioimmunotherapy probes. The clinical challenge has never been the underlying concept, but rather the chemistry of conjugation. Conventional strategies, stochastic coupling...
Reflecting work in the Sun and Xue Labs
Cyclic peptides occupy a privileged niche in chemical biology. Their constrained conformations reduce entropic penalties upon binding, impart proteolytic stability, and frequently enable access to protein–protein interaction surfaces that are inaccessible to small molecules...
Reflecting work in the Ruvo and Sandomenico Labs
Hemostasis begins with a handshake. When vascular damage exposes tissue factor, TF, to the bloodstream, factor VII, FVII, latches on, instantly engaging the extrinsic pathway and accelerating thrombin generation. Because TF is sequestered...
Reflecting work in the Del Valle Group
Collagen’s mechanical grace comes from a deceptively simple code: repeating Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets that assemble into three left-handed PPII chains winding into a right-handed triple helix. Nature’s favorites at Xaa and Yaa—proline...
Reflecting work in the Wang and Goldberg Groups
A longstanding challenge in peptide chemistry has been the restricted reactivity of canonical amino acids, which limits late-stage functionalization strategies. Most side chains are inherently nucleophilic, and thus nearly all peptide modification...
Reflecting work in the the Schepartz Lab
Backbone editing offers a powerful way to expand protein function: by introducing β, γ, or δ linkages, researchers can strengthen folds against proteolysis, reshape ligand dynamics, and unlock new routes to modulate protein–protein interactions…
Reflecting work in the Pires Lab
Tuberculosis, TB, remains one of the most pressing global health threats, with more than ten million cases reported in 2022. Once thought to be in gradual decline, TB incidence has reversed course, fueled by the rise of multidrug-resistant, MDR, and extensively drug-resistant, XDR, strains. The causative...
Reflecting work in the Kennedy Lab
Metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer mortality, and one driver of this process is the actin cytoskeleton remodeling mediated by WASF3, a protein strongly upregulated in aggressive tumor types...
Reflecting work in the Lou Group
Targeted protein degradation has rapidly matured into a transformative drug discovery approach, offering ways to dismantle proteins once deemed undruggable. While classical proteolysis-targeting chimeras, PROTACs, exploit the ubiquitin–proteasome system...
Reflecting work in the Del Valle Group
The stabilization of β-sheet structures has long been a challenge in peptide design, despite their central role in mediating protein–protein interactions, PPIs. While side-chain stapling is well-established for constraining α-helical, polyproline II, and loop conformations...
Reflecting work in the Sampaio-Dias Lab
Disorders of the central nervous system linked to dysregulation of dopamine D2 receptors — including depression, drug addiction, Parkinson’s disease, and movement disorders — remain challenging to treat with selectivity...
Reflecting work in the Patnaik Group
In a landmark study, published in ACS Chemical Biology, researchers from the Samarjit Patnaik group at the National Institutes of Health, report the development of a live-cell NanoBRET, Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer, assay...
Reflecting work in the Köhn Group
Professor Maja Köhn took the stage at the 29th American Peptide Symposium in San Diego, her presentation, "Targeting Phosphatases with Peptides and Phosphomimetics," offered a captivating look into one of the most challenging frontiers in molecular medicine...
Reflecting work in the Wu, Tsai, and Yin Groups
Disulfide-rich peptides, DRPs, are renowned for their stability and therapeutic promise, yet their natural structures offer limited flexibility for evolution or functional adaptation. In an innovative and collaborative study, researchers...
Lab of the Month - The Del Valle Group
Featuring Internationally Notable Peptide Science Research Groups.
The Del Valle Group at the University of Notre Dame is pushing the boundaries of peptide science with bold approaches to natural product synthesis, proteomimetics, and backbone-modified foldamers. Led by Professor Juan R. Del Valle, the lab combines creativity in organic synthesis with a deep commitment to uncovering how subtle chemical changes shape peptide and protein structure–function relationships.
Central to the Del Valle Group is its vibrant culture of mentorship, collaboration, and community. A diverse team of postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates thrives in an environment that prizes openness, inclusivity, and scientific curiosity. Beyond the lab, they celebrate milestones together—from tailgates and karaoke to lab parties—all united by a shared passion for advancing peptide chemistry.
Student Spotlight
Highlighting outstanding graduate students shaping the future of peptide science
Meet Dr. Daniel Honeycutt, a recent Ph.D. graduate in chemistry from the University of Rhode Island, who shifted from polymer science into peptide chemistry to tackle some of the most challenging problems in biomolecular modification.
Working in Professor Fang Wang’s laboratory, Honeycutt developed innovative methods for reengineering cysteine residues — one of peptide chemistry’s most versatile yet limiting amino acids. His research led to a rapid pyridinium-based thiol labeling strategy and a new approach for converting cysteine into β-haloalanines, creating powerful electrophilic handles for downstream transformations.
His pioneering work, recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, introduces a bold “cysteine umpolung” strategy that reverses the polarity of cysteine, opening previously inaccessible chemical space for peptide diversification. Honeycutt’s research promises new opportunities in chemical biology, biomaterials, and therapeutic design.
Call for Papers: Chemistry and Biology of Peptides
Inviting groundbreaking contributions at the intersection of peptide chemistry and biology
Peptides stand at the crossroads of chemistry and biology — molecules whose structures, modifications, and functions drive discovery from the lab bench to the clinic. Their ability to fold, interact, and transform makes them powerful tools for understanding biology and advancing therapeutic innovation.
Two leading ACS journals, Biochemistry and The Journal of Organic Chemistry, are collaborating on a joint Special Issue dedicated to the chemistry and biology of peptides. This issue will showcase the latest advances across synthesis, structure, function, and applications, while highlighting the growing impact of peptides in medicine and technology.
Researchers worldwide are invited to contribute original research, reviews, and perspectives that reflect the diversity and promise of peptide science. Manuscripts are welcome through December 31, 2025.
What Current Members Say
"The American Peptide Society is at the forefront of showcasing innovative research and emerging trends in the field. The symposiums are a combination of inspiration and knowledge, essential for all peptide enthusiasts in academia and pharma to stay ahead in peptide science."
Danny Chou
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Endocrinology
Stanford University, School of Medicine
The American Peptide Society has for many years been central to advancing and promoting peptide research through activities such as regular symposiums, the Peptide Science Journal, and ongoing webinars and news highlights. These efforts are an essential contribution to the field which benefits both the academic and industrial communities.
Jon Collins
Director of Business Development
CEM
"My membership in the American Peptide Society and participation in the biennial APS Symposia has fostered scientific collaborations with trailblazing scientists from academia and industry, who are pushing the boundaries of peptide and protein chemistry into new scientific arenas. The strongly diverse, inclusive and welcoming aspects of the APS have and will continue to provide a great opportunity for the education and professional development of young peptide scientists from all over the world."
Champak Chatterjee
Professor, Department of Chemistry
University of Washington
Images from San Diego
The 2025 Dr. Elizabeth Schram Award for Young Investigator Oral Presentation winners with presenters. From left to right: Professors Jean Chmielewski and Eileen Kennedy, Doctors Emel Adaligil, James Checco, and Michael Bertucci, flanked by the 1st prize winner Thu Nguyen, NYU, and 2nd prize winner Kira Podolsky, MIT.
The 2025 Dr. Elizabeth Schram Award for Young Investigator Poster Presentation winners with presenters, Chuanhao Peng, University of Alberta, Kristiana Witte, NC State University, Hassan Seyrani, University of Missouri, Haley Anchukaitis, Tufts University, Minhee Lee, Columbia University, Xue Zhao, University of South Florida, Rida Ibrahim, Iowa State University, Rachita Dash, University of Virginia, Albert Kakkis, Scripps Research, and Tristan Dinsmore, Tufts University
Newly elected co-chairs of the Student Activities Committee, from left to right, Doctors James Checco, Ross Cheloha, and Arunika Ekanayake.
Peptide Synthesis for Beginners
Explore this in-depth tutorial on peptide synthesis, featuring contributions from the APS Website Committee and other researchers in the field. This tutorial offers a thorough examination of key concepts and techniques in peptide synthesis, supported by engaging video content.
Free Membership
Membership is free and open to graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs, professionals, and retired professionals, with an interest in peptides or a related scientific field.