Platform Technologies for the Regulation of Peptide Hormones

Hormones regulate physiological activity in humans, animals and other organisms. Amidated peptides are one of the main classes of hormones and their biosynthesis is catalysed by peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). The main aim of this research is to produce new pharmaceuticals, veterinary care products and insecticides, through the development of methods to control the levels of these hormones in biological systems. This will involve the design, synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors of PAM, the preparation of artificial prohormones for the controlled release of hormones, and the evaluation of the PAM inhibitors and artificial prohormones in cell-based assays, for their effects on hormone levels and cell viability.