Many peptides have names that sound like Yiddish words. Here’s why. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) - USC Leonard Davis School of Ge

Many peptides have names that sound like Yiddish words. Here’s why. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) - USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
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Many peptides have names that sound like Yiddish words. Here’s why. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
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Many peptides have names that sound like Yiddish words. Here’s why. (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
April 16, 2026 |
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Jewish Telegraphic Agency
featured Pinchas Cohen, his research discovering mitochondrial peptides, and how his team gave many of them Yiddish-sounding names. The article noted Cohen’s Jewish and Israeli heritage and mentioned the microproteins SHLP (pronounced “schlep”), SHMOOSE, and MENTSH, as well as unpublished peptides NOSH and PUTZ. Each is a legitimate scientific acronym, carefully reverse-engineered to land on a Yiddish word. “I always give the students and postdocs the chance to name the project they’re working on,” Cohen said. “But I get veto power. They’ve already learned that the best way to get me to say yes is to come up with something really cute.”
Cohen also discussed the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial microproteins and the need for further research, especially as peptides gain popularity as off-label supplements. “These are potent biological molecules,” he said. “They should be used under the supervision of a physician, and when they’re being produced in reliable manufacturing facilities — most of which is not happening right now.” The article also appeared in the
Times of Israel
,
Forward
,
Jewish Post & News (Canada)
,
Cleveland Jewish News
,
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
and others.
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