Method for delivery of molecules to intracellular targets

Disclosed are -peptides and -peptide conjugates that are capable of diffusing or otherwise being transported across the cell membranes of living cells. The -peptides contain at least six -amino acid residues, at leastsix of which are preferably ³-homoarginine residues. It has been found that when pharmacologically-active agents are conjugated to these types of -peptides, the resulting conjugates (also disclosed herein) are also capable of diffusing or otherwise being transported across the cell membranes of living cells, including mammalian cells.