Syracuse Sun

A team at Syracuse University, led by medicinal chemist Robert Doyle, has made strides in developing new treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research focuses on peptide-based compounds that offer significant weight loss and glucose control without the adverse side effects of current GLP-1-based drugs.

Doyle's work introduces two promising peptides, GEP44 and KCEM1, which reportedly reduce body weight and normalize blood glucose levels. These findings were shared at conferences of the American Chemical Society and The Obesity Society. Doyle noted that "70% of patients who started taking these drugs were not taking them one year later," due to side effects like nausea and abdominal pain.

The new compounds may also address other health issues such as cardiovascular disease and opioid addiction. "As medicinal chemists, we are focused on using peptides...to treat neuroendocrine disorders," said Doyle.

Doyle's research benefits from advanced facilities at Syracuse’s Center for Science and Technology. His lab uses peptide synthesizers, purification systems, artificial intelligence, and computational chemistry to develop these treatments. Students play a crucial role in this process by participating in production, purification, screening, and redesigning efforts.

Doyle expressed appreciation for his students' contributions: "They bring passion and intellect...Every day they surprise me with some wonderful question or clever idea."

For more insights into Doyle's work, listen to episode 175 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast featuring him.