Solid-phase synthesis

Definition

Solid-phase synthesis is a method in which molecules (such as peptides) are chemically synthesized while attached to an insoluble material or resin, allowing for sequential addition of amino acids through repeated cycles. This technique simplifies the purification process since unwanted reagents and byproducts can be washed away without losing the target molecule.

Related terms

Peptide Synthesis: The chemical creation of peptides by coupling amino acids together through peptide bonds.

Resin: A solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers, used as a base in solid-phase synthesis to anchor the growing peptide chain.

Merrifield Method: A pioneering approach to solid-phase peptide synthesis developed by Robert Bruce Merrifield, which significantly accelerated the production of peptides and proteins