Catalogue peptides cover common research sequences, but research often calls for something specific that is not on the shelf: a defined sequence, a particular modification, a chosen scale. Custom peptide synthesis fills that gap. Understanding the workflow helps a research team submit a clear request and set realistic expectations on purity, scale and lead time.
Solid-phase peptide synthesis in brief
Most custom peptides are built using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The growing chain is anchored to an insoluble resin support, and amino acids are added one at a time in a repeating cycle of coupling and deprotection. Building on a solid support means excess reagents and by-products can simply be washed away at each step. Once the full sequence is assembled, the peptide is cleaved from the resin, purified and freeze-dried.
What to specify in a request
- Sequence: the amino-acid sequence, noting any non-standard residues, cyclisation or other structural features.
- Purity grade: common research targets are >95%, >98% or ≥99% by HPLC; higher purity generally means more purification and a higher price.
- Scale: milligram quantities for early work, gram scale for larger research programmes.
- Modifications: terminal capping, labels, conjugates or a particular counter-ion / salt form.
The typical workflow
- 1 · Request & feasibility: you submit the sequence, scale and purity target; the synthesiser returns a feasibility note, price and lead time. Some sequences — very long, highly hydrophobic or heavily modified — are more challenging and this is flagged up front.
- 2 · Synthesis: the chain is assembled by SPPS.
- 3 · Cleavage & purification: the peptide is released from the resin and purified, usually by preparative HPLC, to the requested grade.
- 4 · Quality control: the finished material is verified by HPLC for purity and mass spectrometry for identity.
- 5 · Delivery: the peptide ships as a lyophilized powder with a per-lot Certificate of Analysis.
Factors that affect price and lead time
Length is the first driver — every additional residue adds coupling cycles. Difficult sequences, non-standard residues, special modifications and higher purity grades all add steps. Larger scales require more raw material. A clear, complete request lets a synthesiser quote accurately and avoids back-and-forth that lengthens the timeline.
Getting it right the first time
Double-check the sequence before submitting — a single transposed residue produces a different molecule. State the purity grade explicitly rather than leaving it implied, and mention the intended research context only insofar as it affects format (for instance, the preferred salt form). With a precise brief, custom synthesis reliably turns a sequence on paper into a verified vial of research material.
Custom-synthesised peptides are supplied as research-grade reference materials for laboratory use only and are not for human or animal consumption.
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