Invited Lecture – Dieter Seebach

After a brief introduction outlining the preparation of β-amino acids and their assembly to β-peptides, the surprising properties of these novel peptides are described. The insertion of a simple CH₂-group into each and every residue of a peptide with proteinogenic side chains opens a door into a new world with similarities and, at the same time, fundamental differences of structures and physiological properties. The journey into this world was only possible by hard-core organic synthesis.