What this site is, what it isn't, and why amino acids deserved a better home on the internet.
This site has existed for over 10 years. In April 2026 we rebuilt it from the ground up — new design, new content, new interactive tools. A group of professional chemists gathered, reviewed gaps in existing amino acid resources, and set out to fill that gap properly. What you see today is a complete rebuild rather than a simple update.
Amino Acids Guide is an educational reference website dedicated to the 20 standard amino acids — the molecular building blocks from which every protein in every living organism is assembled. The project is designed as a comprehensive and accessible resource for students, educators, and anyone interested in biology, chemistry, and food science.
We provide structured, well-researched information about each amino acid, including its chemical properties, biological roles, and presence in food and nature. In addition to scientific fundamentals, the site explores the historical context of their discovery and highlights real-world examples that make complex concepts easier to understand.
Beyond reference content, the site offers a set of original interactive tools — including a Protein Sequence Analyzer, an Interactive Codon Table, Flashcards, and a science-based guessing game — designed for both learning and exploration.
Our goal is to present amino acids not only as abstract scientific concepts, but as molecules with rich stories and real-world connections. By focusing on clarity, accuracy, and engaging explanations, the site makes an essential topic in science accessible and interesting for a broad audience.
Amino Acids Guide is a joint project of chemists from Aurora Fine Chemicals, LLC and Exclusive Chemistry Ltd. The accuracy and clarity of the information we publish are central to the project.
We also extend our thanks to the Chemazone project team for their contribution in building the Protein Sequence Analyzer.
The April 2026 rebuild came out of a simple observation: amino acids are fundamental to biology and the molecular sciences, yet existing online resources were either too superficial (lists of facts with no context) or too technical (academic papers inaccessible to general readers). We wanted to build the resource we wished had existed when we were students — and the one we'd recommend to curious non-specialists today.
Anyone curious about chemistry and biology — no prior knowledge required. We write for the kind of person who enjoys learning things in depth and finds the history of science as interesting as the science itself. If you've ever wondered what makes soy sauce taste the way it does, why hair can be permanently curled, or how a bacterium produces the MSG in your pantry, this site was made for you.
This site focuses on chemistry, etymology, discovery history, food science, and biology — framed for general interest. It does not provide medical or dietary advice.
What distinguishes this site from most amino acid references is the set of original interactive tools built specifically for it. These are not embeds or third-party widgets — each was developed from scratch for this site.
Build a peptide by clicking amino acid buttons or paste any sequence. Calculates molecular weight, isoelectric point, hydrophobicity plot (Kyte-Doolittle scale), and composition breakdown. All computation runs locally in the browser — no data is sent to any server.
All 64 codons of the standard genetic code in a colour-coded interactive table. Click any codon to see which amino acid it encodes, with a direct link to that amino acid's full page. Start and stop codons are clearly marked.
Study all 20 amino acids with flippable flashcards. Each card shows the name, one-letter and three-letter codes, and category on the front; the back reveals the discovery story, the most remarkable scientific fact, chemical data, and all genetic codons. Filter by category or shuffle.
A science-based guessing game. Three clues are revealed one at a time — each progressively more specific. Guess after the first clue for maximum points, or unlock more hints first. Ten rounds, 30 points maximum. Clues are based on real discovery history and chemistry.
All chemistry, data, and historical claims are researched against primary sources and scientific literature.
We translate complex chemistry into plain language without sacrificing accuracy or depth.
This site is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical or dietary advice.
The centrepiece of the site is the interactive periodic chart of amino acids — all 20 standard amino acids arranged in a periodic-table style grid, colour-coded by chemical family (acidic, basic, polar, and nonpolar). Each cell links to a dedicated page for that amino acid. Hover over any cell for quick chemical data; click to read the full story.
Amino acid data (molecular weights, pKa values, genetic codons, formulas) is drawn from standard biochemistry references including IUPAC publications, the NCBI database, and established textbooks (Lehninger, Stryer, Berg/Tymoczko). Discovery histories are sourced from primary chemistry literature and peer-reviewed historical accounts. Food source data reflects values from the USDA FoodData Central database. Where possible, information is cross-checked across multiple reputable scientific sources.
Questions, corrections, or suggestions? Use the Contact page. We welcome corrections — if you spot a factual error, please let us know and we'll address it promptly.