Next-generation screening system identifies highly selective therapeutic peptides

In a joint study with Stanford University, MELIS-UPF researchers designed an innovative experimental screening platform to discover ultra-selective therapeutic peptides that minimize the adverse side effects typical of conventional commercial drugs. This study introduces a macrocyclic phage display system capable of identifying highly specific protease substrates. To validate the platform’s clinical precision, the team successfully identified two novel peptides that can accurately distinguish between two structurally near-identical enzymes implicated in diabetes and cancer pathways, opening new avenues for highly targeted, low-toxicity drug design.

Reference:

Faucher FF, Blažková K, Lovell S, Bertolini M, Herrero-Bourdieu J, Cosco ED, Bogyo M, Barniol-Xicota M (2025). Macrocyclic Phage Display for Identification of Selective Protease Substrates. Journal of the American Chemical Society. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c04424