Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) Synthesis

Carrier-free epitope display—MAP2, MAP4, MAP8 made to spec.

Custom Multiple Antigen Peptides (MAPs)—MAP2, MAP4, and MAP8 branched constructs on lysine dendrimer scaffolds, built with practical spacer/handle options and fit-for-purpose QC.

Use this page for design guidance and ordering specs. Detailed technical background is in the Overview below.

Overview

What are Multiple Antigen Peptides (MAPs)?

A Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) is a branched peptide dendrimer—most commonly built on a lysine dendrimer scaffold—that displays multiple copies of a peptide epitope in a single construct (e.g., MAP2, MAP4, MAP8). By increasing epitope density, MAP peptides can improve effective recognition for antibody production, vaccine research, and epitope validation, often as a carrier-free peptide immunogen. Because higher valency can introduce steric crowding, on-resin aggregation, and solubility limitations, we align design (valency, spacers, handles), synthesis strategy, purification approach, and QC deliverables to your intended use—immunization or assay. This integrated service model reflects Bio-Synthesis’s broader peptide manufacturing capabilities, including difficult and branched peptide synthesis, custom modifications, labeling, and bioconjugation—so expectations match what’s technically realistic for each MAP format.

Bio-Synthesis provides end-to-end MAP peptide synthesis services—from sequence review and valency selection (MAP2, MAP4, MAP8), to spacer and functional handle design, synthesis optimization, purification, and fit-for-purpose QC. MAP projects are evaluated alongside related offerings including Custom Peptide Synthesis, Branched Peptides, and Peptide Bioconjugation to ensure the most practical immunogen or assay-ready construct is delivered.

ISO 9001:2015/ISO13485:2016 45+ Years of Expertise U.S. Facilities - Texas High-Throughput MAP Peptide Synthesis

Need a linear peptide or conjugate instead? See Custom Peptide Synthesis and Peptide Bioconjugation. For ready-made options, browse Catalog Peptides.

Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) schematic showing lysine dendrimer core with multiple epitope arms and optional spacers.

Figure: Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP) architecture (MAP2 / MAP4 / MAP8).

Ready-to-ship

Need a fast comparator or control peptide? Browse our Catalog Peptides.

For immunization workflows, we can also advise on spacer/handle placement and a fit-for-purpose QC plan.

MAP formats: MAP2 vs MAP4 vs MAP8

MAP2

Lower steric crowding; best starting point for difficult epitopes.

  • Often improved solubility vs higher valency
  • More forgiving synthesis and purification
  • Good for long or hydrophobic epitopes
MAP4

Common balance of epitope density and manufacturability.

  • Frequently used for antibody production workflows
  • Spacer design can improve accessibility
  • HPLC purification often feasible (sequence-dependent)
MAP8

Maximum epitope density; more likely to hit solubility/purification limits.

  • Higher risk of aggregation during SPPS
  • May require spacer/solubilizing design
  • Desalted delivery common when purification is limited

If your project requires high-purity single-species material, start with MAP2/MAP4 and evaluate MAP8 after you confirm solubility/behavior.

MAP peptide design: epitope, spacers, and functional handles

What are Multiple Antigen Peptides (MAPs)?

MAP success is mostly determined at the design stage. If you share your sequence and goal (immunization vs assay vs surface attachment), we can recommend valency, spacer strategy, and QC level.

Multiple Antigenic (MAP) Synthesis Branched peptide synthesis Optional spacers (PEG/Ahx) Biotin / Click handles MS / HPLC QC
Design checklist
  • Choose valency: MAP2/MAP4 (safer) vs MAP8 (higher density)
  • Arm length (typical): 8–25 aa per epitope
  • Add spacer if needed: PEG/Ahx/charged linker to reduce crowding
  • Specify handle(s): biotin, azide/alkyne, cysteine (location matters)
  • Define success metric: immunogen-grade vs assay-grade emphasizing purity
Spacer & handle options
  • Spacers: PEG units, Ahx, β-Ala, charged linkers
  • Biotinylation: capture assays (streptavidin workflows)
  • Click handles: azide/alkyne for modular conjugation
  • Cys handles: thiol-maleimide coupling (project-dependent)

If your MAP is intended for conjugation/labeling, align the handle and QC plan from the start to avoid rework.

Want a carrier conjugate instead of a MAP? See Peptide Bioconjugation.

Synthesis & troubleshooting

Common failure modes
  • On-resin aggregation reduces chain mobility and coupling efficiency
  • Steric hindrance at branching points increases deletions/truncations
  • Sequence-driven risk (hydrophobic stretches, repeats, β-structure propensity)
  • Solubility limits restrict purification and analytics

Expert signal: many “mystery failures” trace back to aggregation-driven coupling drop-off that amplifies deletion impurities after branching.

How we de-risk MAP projects
  • Resin/loading selection to reduce crowding
  • Double/extended coupling at difficult positions
  • Spacer strategy and branch accessibility planning
  • Solvent/condition optimization for hard segments
  • Fit-for-purpose QC aligned to application (immunization vs assay)

If purification is mandatory, we often recommend starting MAP2/MAP4 and escalating valency after confirming behavior.

Specifications: what to define for a fast quote

Core specs
  • Epitope sequence(s) and any required modifications
  • MAP format: MAP2 / MAP4 / MAP8 (or “recommend”)
  • Spacer preference (none / PEG / Ahx / charged)
  • Quantity (mg) and intended application
  • Purification/QC needs (desalt vs HPLC; MS; HPLC report)
Fastest quote checklist
  • One sequence per line (or attach a spreadsheet)
  • State “immunization” vs “assay” to set QC expectations
  • Note solubility constraints (buffer, co-solvent limits) if known
  • Request handle location (end of arm vs core) when relevant
  • Provide timeline and shipping requirements

Typical deliverables & QC

QC should match your use case. For many immunization workflows, identity confirmation and fit-for-purpose purity are sufficient, while assay-grade work may require higher purification when feasible.

Typical MAP specifications (sequence-dependent). For MAP8 and other high-valency constructs, purification may be constrained by solubility and heterogeneity.

Parameter Typical options Notes / guidance
Formats MAP2, MAP4, MAP8 (lysine dendrimer) Higher valency increases epitope density but can reduce yield/solubility.
Arm length 8–25 aa per epitope (custom) Long/hydrophobic arms increase aggregation risk; spacers often help.
Purification Desalted or HPLC purified (where feasible) MAP8 often delivered desalted if HPLC resolution is limited.
QC MS identity (MALDI-TOF or ESI-MS), HPLC profile when applicable MAPs may show broad peaks due to conformers and solubility behavior.
Quantity 1–10 mg typical (more upon request) Yield depends strongly on sequence risk and purification level.
Options Spacers, biotin, click handles, cysteine handles Specify handle location and intended chemistry to align synthesis/QC.

How to request a MAP quote

Send your epitope sequence(s), target format (MAP2/MAP4/MAP8), and intended application. If you’re unsure, share your goal and we’ll recommend a practical design, spacer strategy, and QC plan.

Include in your request
  • Sequence(s) and any modifications
  • MAP valency preference (or “recommend”)
  • Spacer/handle requirements (if any)
  • Quantity (mg) and QC preference
  • Application: immunization vs assay vs surface attachment
Helpful optional details
  • Solubility constraints (buffer, co-solvent limits)
  • Any known difficult motifs (hydrophobic stretches, repeats)
  • Timeline and shipping constraints

FAQ

What is a Multiple Antigen Peptide (MAP)?

A MAP is a branched peptide construct that displays multiple copies of an epitope (MAP2/MAP4/MAP8) on a lysine dendrimer scaffold to increase epitope density and improve recognition—often without carrier proteins.

MAP vs KLH conjugate—what’s the difference?

MAPs are fully synthetic and compositionally defined. KLH/BSA conjugates are heterogeneous in peptide loading and attachment sites. MAPs can reduce carrier-driven background, but high-valency MAPs may be harder to synthesize and purify (sequence-dependent).

Which MAP format should I choose: MAP2, MAP4, or MAP8?

MAP4 is a common balance of density and manufacturability. MAP2 is often best if solubility/purification is critical or your epitope is difficult. MAP8 offers maximum density but more frequently faces solubility and purification constraints.

Why can MAP synthesis fail during SPPS?

MAP synthesis can fail due to on-resin aggregation, steric hindrance at branch points, reduced chain mobility, and solubility limits that restrict purification. Mitigations include resin/loading selection, double couplings, spacer strategy, and fit-for-purpose QC planning.

What QC is typical for MAP peptides?

Typical QC includes MS identity confirmation (MALDI-TOF or ESI-MS) and an HPLC profile where applicable. For MAP8, desalted delivery is common when HPLC purification is limited by solubility or heterogeneity.

Can you add biotin or click handles to MAPs?

Yes. Biotin, azide/alkyne click handles, and cysteine handles can be added. Specify the handle location and intended downstream chemistry so synthesis and QC align.

CONTACT

Speak to a Peptide Scientist

Share your epitope sequence(s), MAP format preference, any spacer/handle needs, quantity, and intended application. We’ll recommend practical specifications and a synthesis/QC plan aligned to your goals.

Tip: If you’re using MAPs for immunization, tell us the host species and whether you also want a carrier conjugate comparator.

Why Choose Bio-Synthesis

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