The inventors of this technology designed several artificial antimicrobial peptide molecules, each peptide consisting of between 11 to 35 amino acids and containing a tryptophan triplet. One peptide in particular, tritrypcin, has been validated in several in vitro studies of infection. Several nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells encoding these artificial peptides have been protected and can be used as a means for production. Additionally, copper ions, along with several other metal ions, can be added to artificial and natural peptides to further enhance antimicrobial activity. These discoveries have wide-ranging potential in the treatment of human infection, particularly in respiratory illnesses where natural antimicrobial peptides have been shown to be active.

File Number: 2.69.50; 2.69.51; 2.69.52 

Web site: http://www.siumed.edu/adrfa/techavailable.html

Disease: Infectious Diseases

Other Information: Tritrypcin has shown high efficacy and a relative lack of toxicity in a rat model of septic shock when administered with ertapenem.