The study and diverse applications of bioactive peptides traverse many sub-disciplines within chemistry, biology, physics, and medicine. Answering a long-standing need, focuses on the biology, pharmacology, and therapeutic applications of endogenous peptide mediators and their analogues. Moving peptide science beyond chemical synthesis strategies and into the realms of peptide biology and therapeutics, it presents the overall contribution that peptide science has made to molecular, cellular, and whole organism biology, while also discussing future targets and therapeutic applications. provides details of bioactive peptides that interact with common drug targets and analyzes some of the most competitive areas of current research worldwide. While it is widely known that mammalian physiological systems utilize bioactive peptides that have yet to be discovered, other animals provide a rich and valuable source of bioactive peptides. This fascinating area of science is the theme of investigate the unique bioactivities of various peptides that are ripe for further exploration. This definitive reference also includes: With mounting worldwide interest in their therapeutic potential, bioactive peptides—includ