Proteases are enzymes that are responsible for breaking down proteins by hydrolyzing the peptide bonds that link amino acids together. These enzymes play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as digestion, immune response, and cell signaling. Proteases are also widely studied in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology for their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of diseases such as cancer and viral infections. Research in the area of proteases aims to understand their structure, function, regulation, and inhibition, as well as to develop novel protease inhibitors and substrates for therapeutic purposes.