Merrifield synthesis

The Merrifield synthesis is a method used in chemistry to create proteins and peptides, which are essential building blocks for life. Developed by Robert Merrifield in the 1960s, this technique allows scientists to string together amino acids—the molecules that make up proteins—on a solid support, rather than in solution. This solid-phase approach makes it easier to purify and manipulate the compounds as they are formed, enabling the production of complex molecules more efficiently. The Merrifield synthesis has significantly advanced biochemistry and drug development, impacting research and medicine.