The development a peptide-based agent for imaging application

This thesis described efforts to develop MC1R-selective ligands (good potency) as potential agents for melanoma diagnosis. Briefly, a known compound was used as a starting template and was modified according to our design strategy. Following the set of assessments, we obtained some analogues with good efficacy and high MC1R selectivity. To confirm their agonistic properties, selected ligands were investigated using the secondary assays, which identified them as full MC1R agonism. Such agonists, exhibiting desirable biological properties, were then extended their applicability to be useful reagents. The data associated with their properties showed potential in imaging applications.