Harnessing the potential of natural peptides through chemical design (2025-2027)

This project aims to re-engineer bioactive disulfide-rich peptides, such as those found in the venom of cone snails, to improve their therapeutic potential. These peptides are highly selective and potent towards a range of ion channels and receptors, but they suffer from rapid proteolytic degradation and poor permeability to cell membranes. This project focuses on developing strategies to improve their pharmaceutical properties to overcome obstacles in achieving oral bioavailability. Expected outcomes include new knowledge about structure-activity relationships, leading to a solid platform for the future development of peptide-based therapeutics, thereby resulting in considerable economic benefits.