Research Proposal 2026
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for reviewing our proposal. This page is intended as an informational supplement to our grant application. Currently, a thriving market exists for chemicals, compounds, reagents, and biologics that are purported to impart medicinal or therapeutic properties. Many of these compounds are not legal for medical or veterinary use in the USA, outside research only applications. As such, IO Nurse proposes to investigate any possible direct antimicrobial properties select compounds exhibit on bacterial cultures in vitro.
Initially, test cultures will focus on soil-derived microbial species and will not include lines of bacterium known as pathogenic to humans or animals. As research progresses, pathogenic cultures will be included under strict safety protocols with controls for virulence. Protocols will involve the direct application of compounds in controlled amounts, in an ISO environment (HEPA-filtered continuous laminar air flow devices), to each petri dish with appropriate growth media for select bacterium.
IO Nurse has chosen to work with basic protein compounds, or peptides, aligned with a 2025 literature and media review highlighting the risks of said compounds when applied inappropriately as medicine or therapeutic agents. Our initial selection of eight compounds was guided by the popularity and alleged use of said compounds, as determined by social media, advertising, and other online sources.
The initial compounds under review, as referred to by their marketed designations, include: BPC-157, TA-1, TB-500, KPV, Epithalon, SS-31 (if available), MOTS-C, LL-37, and PNC-27 (added 12/31/2025). Of note, LL-37, TA-1, and KPV have been reported to have antimicrobial applications in vivo, but such effects in vitro merit further review. If indicated, this initial investigation will be expanded to other biologics, likely including CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin, Semax, AOD-9604, ARA-292, etc., based on established popularity and availability. Sources of product are currently being vetted.
Initially, test cultures will focus on soil-derived microbial species and will not include lines of bacterium known as pathogenic to humans or animals. As research progresses, pathogenic cultures will be included under strict safety protocols with controls for virulence. Protocols will involve the direct application of compounds in controlled amounts, in an ISO environment (HEPA-filtered continuous laminar air flow devices), to each petri dish with appropriate growth media for select bacterium.
IO Nurse has chosen to work with basic protein compounds, or peptides, aligned with a 2025 literature and media review highlighting the risks of said compounds when applied inappropriately as medicine or therapeutic agents. Our initial selection of eight compounds was guided by the popularity and alleged use of said compounds, as determined by social media, advertising, and other online sources.
The initial compounds under review, as referred to by their marketed designations, include: BPC-157, TA-1, TB-500, KPV, Epithalon, SS-31 (if available), MOTS-C, LL-37, and PNC-27 (added 12/31/2025). Of note, LL-37, TA-1, and KPV have been reported to have antimicrobial applications in vivo, but such effects in vitro merit further review. If indicated, this initial investigation will be expanded to other biologics, likely including CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin, Semax, AOD-9604, ARA-292, etc., based on established popularity and availability. Sources of product are currently being vetted.
DESIGN
Our study design is very simple:
1. Select bacteria found in soil by growing viable cultures using specific growth media. Isolate bacterial species.
2. Select products, vet suppliers, and procure (consider at least one domestic and one international source per product).
3. Apply equal portions of product at standardized intervals to each thriving bacterial culture and observe over time.
4. Adjust portions of applied product as observations warrant. Maintain control cultures (without product).
5. Control for variation in light, sound, temperature, humidity, and product by source, supplier, batch, and manufacturer.
6. Consider two or more parallel stations for possible experimental variation, as well as redundancy.
7. Transfer cultures to fresh media periodically as established by protocol.
8. Document observations and report results, as indicated.
1. Select bacteria found in soil by growing viable cultures using specific growth media. Isolate bacterial species.
2. Select products, vet suppliers, and procure (consider at least one domestic and one international source per product).
3. Apply equal portions of product at standardized intervals to each thriving bacterial culture and observe over time.
4. Adjust portions of applied product as observations warrant. Maintain control cultures (without product).
5. Control for variation in light, sound, temperature, humidity, and product by source, supplier, batch, and manufacturer.
6. Consider two or more parallel stations for possible experimental variation, as well as redundancy.
7. Transfer cultures to fresh media periodically as established by protocol.
8. Document observations and report results, as indicated.
Duration of initial study is expected to be no less than 12 months, with future iterations each lasting 6 to 12 months. Anticipated result categories include (1) no observable change, (2) antimicrobial activity, (3) pro-growth activity, as well as (4) mutations or effects not previously documented in the literature. A final category of (5) other will be held as a placeholder for any effects not anticipated.
PRODUCT
The following includes a representative structure and/or sequencing of each compound, as well as a brief explanation of each peptide as it has been marketed to potential consumers for therapeutic intervention, likely still illegal (beyond traditional research applications). The literature does suggest each compound to be effective in its reported role. However, this initial selection of compounds is for investigation of direct microbial reactions, with a focus on potential antimicrobial effects in vitro.
BPC-157 - Body Protection Compound
Epithalon - Epitalon, Epithalone, Epithalamin
KPV - Lysine (K) Proline (P) Valine (V)
LL-37 - Cathelicidin, CAMP, CAH-18
MOTS-C - Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-coding region
SS-31 - Elamipretide
TA-1 - Thymosin Alpha 1
TB-500 - Thymosin Beta 4 (TB-4) fragment
PNC-27 - (designation as a chimeric peptide)
BPC-157 - Body Protection Compound
BPC-157 is a peptide composed of 15 amino acids and is naturally present in human gastric juice. The amino acid sequence is Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice, reported to have potential therapeutic benefits in healing and tissue repair.
BPC-157 - Body Protection Compound
Epithalon - Epitalon, Epithalone, Epithalamin
KPV - Lysine (K) Proline (P) Valine (V)
LL-37 - Cathelicidin, CAMP, CAH-18
MOTS-C - Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-coding region
SS-31 - Elamipretide
TA-1 - Thymosin Alpha 1
TB-500 - Thymosin Beta 4 (TB-4) fragment
PNC-27 - (designation as a chimeric peptide)
BPC-157 - Body Protection Compound
BPC-157 is a peptide composed of 15 amino acids and is naturally present in human gastric juice. The amino acid sequence is Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice, reported to have potential therapeutic benefits in healing and tissue repair.
Epithalon - Epitalon, Epithalone, Epithalamin
Epitalon is a synthetic peptide that has attracted global attention in the fields of longevity, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine. Its structure is a short chain of four amino acids (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). Also known as Epithalon, it is a synthetic tetrapeptide with reported potential anti-aging properties, primarily by influencing telomere length and cellular health.
KVP - Lysine (K) Proline (P) Valine (V)
KPV is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Lysine-Proline-Valine. It is a fragment of a larger molecule known as alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH), reported to play a central role in immune function, inflammation control, and melanogenesis. It is also antimicrobial.
LL-37 - Cathelicidin, CAMP, CAH-18
Cathelicidins such as the human 37-amino acid peptide (LL-37) are peptides that not only potently kill microbes, but also trigger inflammation by enabling immune recognition of endogenous nucleic acids. In its direct antibacterial role, it is believed that LL-37 acts via disrupting the bacterial membrane.
MOTS-C - Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-coding region
MOTS-c (mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is a 16-amino-acid peptide that in humans is encoded by the mitochondrial MT-RNR1 gene, with the amino acid sequence MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR. MOTS-C is reported to play a significant role in regulating metabolism and cell signaling. Reports further include that it enhances insulin sensitivity, optimizes glucose utilization, and promotes fat metabolism and energy production at the cellular level. Literature also notes MOTS-C as aiding in muscle recovery and cognitive function, and that it may help manage or prevent osteoporosis by increasing cell differentiation.
SS-31 – Elamipretide
SS-31 exhibits a targeted interaction with cardiolipin per literature. Also known by the developmental code MTP-131, it is a synthetic, water-soluble tetrapeptide. Its specific amino acid sequence is D-Arginyl-2′,6′-dimethyl-L-tyrosyl-L-lysyl-L-phenylalaninamide (H-D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2). SS-31 is thought to work by accumulating in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it modulates mitochondrial function and promotes the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. Reportedly, it might also help to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative damage and improving overall mitochondrial health.
TA-1 - Thymosin Alpha 1
Thymosin Alpha 1 (TA-1) is a naturally occurring peptide with powerful immune-modulating and antiviral properties. Originally isolated from the thymus gland. Thymosin Alpha 1 is a 28-amino acid peptide fragment derived from prothymosin alpha, a protein involved in regulating the immune system. The amino acid sequence of Thymosin Alpha-1 (TA-1) is as follows: Ac-Ser-Asp-Ala-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Ser-Ser-Glu-Ile-Thr-Thr-Lys-Asp-Leu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-OH.
TB-500 - Thymosin Beta 4 (TB-4) fragment
TB-500 is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide fragment derived from thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4). Its chain includes 43 amino acids. TB-500 itself is reported to be the only active portion of Thymosin Beta-4, referenced in the literature for its potential benefits in healing, reducing inflammation, and enhancing recovery from injuries.
PNC-27 - (designation as a chimeric peptide)
PNC-27 is a synthetic 32-amino acid peptide specifically designed to bind to HDM-2 proteins expressed on cancer cell membranes. Through this selective targeting mechanism, PNC-27 induces the formation of transmembrane pores that disrupt cancer cell membrane integrity, leading to rapid cell lysis and death while sparing normal cells. PNC-27, H-Pro-Pro-Leu-Ser-Gln-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Lys-Lys-Trp-Lys-Met-Arg-Arg-Asn-Gln-Phe-Trp-Val-Lys-Val-Gln-Arg-Gly-OH, is a synthetic peptide. The sequence corresponds to amino acid residues 12-26 of the HDM-2-binding domain of human p53 while the italicized sequence corresponds to the MRP segment that allows entry of the whole peptide into cells. PNC-28, which contains p53 residues 17-26 linked to the MRP, was likewise synthesized. The negative control peptide, PNC-29, containing the X13 peptide from cytochrome P450 attached to the MRP, H-Met-Pro-Phe-Ser-Thr-Gly-Lys-Arg-Ile-Met-Leu-Gly-Glu- Lys-Lys-Trp-Lys-Met-Arg-Arg-Asn-Gln-Phe-Trp-Val-Lys-Val-Gln-Arg-Gly-OH, was likewise synthesized. This research product is currently under investigation for various potential immune modulating properties.
RATIONALE
As further rationale for specific inclusion, it was identified that the first eight compounds have been marketed as therapeutically synergetic when used together, in combination, or in succession. This grouping contributed to our decision to cluster them together in our research. PNC-27 was added due to the potentially limited availability of SS-31. Again, this information was found in the literature and associated advertising. Mention of any purported benefits related to these compounds or their educational product marketing relate only to the design of our study. And the literature is extensive, as most of these products remain under investigational review. While the literature does suggest potential therapeutic value for each of these compounds, we make no claims as to the veracity of therapeutics or advertising, nor can we confirm or deny their alleged biological roles. Such is beyond the scope of this study.
LL-37, TA-1, KPV, Epitalon
Signaling optimization
Inflammatory mediation
Immune enhancement
Antimicrobial (infection clearance)
BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, Epitalon
Tissue repair (restoring organ function) and protection
Restoring tissue and organ integrity
Inflammatory mediation
Nutrient absorption optimization
Leaky gut mediation
Mediating insulin resistance
SS-31, MOTS-C, BPC-157, Epitalon
Mitochondrial support (all tissues, organs)
Electron transport chain optimization (sustained increase in ATP production)
Blood brain balance
Cell membrane optimization
Cell life and health optimization
Toxin clearance
Epitalon, BPC-157
Sleep optimization
Iron level optimization
Mediating radiation
LL-37, TA-1, KPV, Epitalon
Signaling optimization
Inflammatory mediation
Immune enhancement
Antimicrobial (infection clearance)
BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, Epitalon
Tissue repair (restoring organ function) and protection
Restoring tissue and organ integrity
Inflammatory mediation
Nutrient absorption optimization
Leaky gut mediation
Mediating insulin resistance
SS-31, MOTS-C, BPC-157, Epitalon
Mitochondrial support (all tissues, organs)
Electron transport chain optimization (sustained increase in ATP production)
Blood brain balance
Cell membrane optimization
Cell life and health optimization
Toxin clearance
Epitalon, BPC-157
Sleep optimization
Iron level optimization
Mediating radiation
Thank you for reviewing this additional information and for considering our proposal.
