Category talk:Antimicrobial peptides

Lytic Peptides (Membrane Interactive Molecules--MIMs)

Lytic peptides are a class of peptides, usually very small (often 27 ie less amino acids in length) that are very active, i.e. they have the ability to lysis or pierce membranes, e.g.the venom of a bee sting. They are usually classified as "antimicrobial" peptides. There characteristics are mechancial in nature, which makes it difficult for pathogens to develop a resistance around them. While one can find them in nature, their "lytic" activity is somewhat limited when compared with many new artificial constructs,

Generally, they have demonstrated to be effective against a broad range of both fungal and bacterial pathogens. The underlining technology of their architecture has also lead to the development of a de novo artificial plant storage protein which can be utilized to greatly enhance the Essential Amino Acid (EAA), or nutritional content, of food and field crops. Most food and feed crops are very deficient in such EAA's, and where they do exist, they are often not bio-available.