Abstract: Compounds that provide protection against excitotoxic neuronal damage are selected from the group consisting of Arg-rich oligopeptides and compounds of formula 1: where R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, or alkoxy-alkyl; and R2 and R3 are each natural or artificial amino acid side chains.

Abstract: Sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to melittin are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolytically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and more preferably SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: Linear C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated oligopeptide sets of molecules are disclosed, as are their methods of synthesis and use in acceptor binding assays. Each molecule or chain of a set contains the same number of two to about ten substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated amino acid residues, and the member chains of a set are present in equimolar amounts. The chains of a set contain one or more predetermined peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. The set contains equimolar amounts of at least six different peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more of the same predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. Libraries of such sets, processes for their use and solid support-linked peralkylated sets are also contemplated, as are specific permethylated oligopeptides.

Abstract: Sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to melittin are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolyrically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and more preferably SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: Polypeptides, sets and libraries of sets of polypeptides that are related in sequence to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1 are disclosed that have antimicrobial, hemolytic and hydrolytically catalytic activities, as are processes for making and using the same. A contemplated set is a mixture of equimolar amounts of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. Particularly preferred polypeptides include those of SEQ ID NOs:3-9.

Abstract: Linear C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated oligopeptide sets of molecules are specific peralkylated oligopeptides, disclosed, as are their methods of synthesis and use in acceptor binding assays. Each molecule or chain of a set contains the same number of two to about ten substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 -alkyl peralkylated amino acid residues, and the member chains of a set are present in equimolar amounts. The chains of a set contain one or more predetermined peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. The set contains equimolar amounts of at least six different peralkylated amino acid residues at one or more of the same predetermined positions of the peralkylated oligopeptide chain. Libraries of such sets, processes for their use and solid support-linked peralkylated sets are also contemplated, as are specific permethylated oligopeptides such as those having 5-8 phenylalanine residues that have antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting growth of a target cell comprising administering to a host or to a target cell or virus a biologically active peptide which includes one of the following basic structures; R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 ; R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 ; or R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.1, wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, and R.sub.2 is a basic hydrophilic or neutral hydrophilic amino acid. A preferred peptide is of the structural formula:(SEQ ID NO:3).Substitution and deletion analogues of this peptide can be prepared that have increased biological activity. Such peptides can be employed as pharmaceuticals.