| abstract |
Provided are compositions and methods useful for reducing microbial populations on and/or in skin, reducing skin inflammation, targeting skin substructures and components, and treating skin conditions such as acne. A composition often comprises an antimicrobial peptidyl moiety having an amino acid sequence conforming to a sequence motif provided herein, and sometimes derived from the polypeptide granulysin. The composition optionally comprises a lipophilic moiety that increases the hydrophobicity of the peptidyl moiety, which may target the composition to specific areas of skin in a subject to whom the composition is administered. Also featured are apparatus useful for testing peptide compositions for biological activity on and/or in skin. |