Biochemical Analysis Tools

This book explores the role of nucleic acid analysis and the advances it has led to in the field of life sciences. The first section is a collection of chapters covering experimental methods used in molecular biology, the techniques adjacent to these methods, and the steps of analysis before and after obtaining raw DNA data. The second section deals with the principles of chromatography, method development, sample preparation, and industrial applications.

Advances in biochemistry now allow us to control living systems in ways that were undreamt of a decade ago. This volume guides researchers and students through the full spectrum of experimental protocols used in biochemistry, plant biology and biotechnology.

A comprehensive discussion of the various analytical techniques that are carried out in biochemistry, intends to support students in grasping techniques which are of use for theoretical and practical purposes.

Analytical methods are the essential enabling tools of the modern biosciences. This book presents a comprehensive introduction into these analytical methods, including their physical and chemical backgrounds, as well as a discussion of the strengths and weakness of each method. It covers all major techniques for the determination and experimental analysis of biological macromolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The presentation includes frequent cross-references in order to highlight the many connections between different techniques. The book provides a bird's eye view of the entire subject and enables the reader to select the most appropriate method for any given bioanalytical challenge. This makes the book a handy resource for students and researchers in setting up and evaluating experimental research. The depth of the analysis and the comprehensive nature of the coverage mean that there is also a great deal of new material, even for experienced experimentalists. The following techniques are covered in detail: - Purification and determination of proteins - Measuring enzymatic activity - Microcalorimetry - Immunoassays, affinity chromatography and other immunological methods - Cross-linking, cleavage, and chemical modification of proteins - Light microscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy - Chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques - Protein sequence and composition analysis - Mass spectrometry methods - Measuring protein-protein interactions - Biosensors - NMR and EPR of biomolecules - Electron microscopy and X-ray structure analysis - Carbohydrate and lipid analysis - Analysis of posttranslational modifications - Isolation and determination of nucleic acids - DNA hybridization techniques - Polymerase chain reaction techniques - Protein sequence and composition analysis - DNA sequence and epigenetic modification analysis - Analysis of protein-nucleic acid interactions - Analysis of sequence data - Proteomics, metabolomics, peptidomics and toponomics - Chemical biology

Biochemical analysis is a rapidly expanding field and is a key component of modern drug discovery and research. Methods of Biochemical Analysis provides a periodic and authoritative review of the latest achievements in biochemical analysis. Founded in 1954 by Professor David Glick, Methods of Biochemical Analysis provides a timely review of the latest developments in the field.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the major biochemical analytical techniques, with detailed descriptions of the instrumentation and applications. The contributions, which each focus on a specific technique, are based on a thorough review and analysis of the current literature as well as the authors’ experiences in the lab. Divided into nine parts, the book provides insights into basic separation techniques like sedimentation, filtration and centrifugation, as well as analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, immuno-techniques, radioactivity and microscopy.