Biochemical Applications

Fluorescence spectroscopy and its applications to the physical and life sciences have evolved rapidly during the past decade. The increased interest in fluorescence appears to be due to advances in time resolution, methods of data analysis and improved instrumentation. With these advances, it is now practical to perform time-resolved measurements with enough resolution to compare the results with the structural and dynamic features of mac- molecules, to probe the structures of proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids, and to acquire two-dimensional microscopic images of chemical or protein distributions in cell cultures. Advances in laser and detector technology have also resulted in renewed interest in fluorescence for clinical and analytical chemistry. Because of these numerous developments and the rapid appearance of new methods, it has become difficult to remain current on the science of fluorescence and its many applications. Consequently, I have asked the experts in particular areas of fluorescence to summarize their knowledge and the current state of the art. This has resulted in the initial three volumes of Topics in Fluorescence Spectroscopy, which is intended to be an ongoing series which summarizes, in one location, the vast literature on fluorescence spectroscopy. These first three volumes are designed to serve as an advanced text. These volumes describe the more recent techniques and technologies (Volume 1), the principles governing fluorescence and the experimental observables (Volume 2), and applications in biochemistry and biophysics (Volume 3).

For a host of reasons, nonlinear optical spectroscopy is a valuable tool for biochemical applications where minimally invasive diagnostics is desired. Biochemical Applications of Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy presents the latest technological advances and offers a perspective on future directions in this important field. Written by an international panel of experts, this volume begins with a comparison of nonlinear optical spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography. The text examines the use of multiphoton fluorescence to study chemical phenomena in the skin, the use of nonlinear optics to enhance traditional optical spectroscopy, and the multimodal approach, which incorporates several spectroscopic techniques in one instrument. Later chapters explore Raman microscopy, third-harmonic generation microscopy, and non-linear Raman microspectroscopy. The text explores the promise of beam shaping and the use of broadband laser pulse generated through continuum generation and an optical pulse shaper. Lastly, the book discusses the effects of spatial beam shaping on the generated nonlinear Raman signals in a tightly focused geometry and provides insight into the extension of nonlinear optical spectroscopy to the nanoscale through the use of plasmonic tip-enhanced arrangement. With novel experimental approaches to this technology expanding day-by-day, the book’s balanced coverage from a wide range of international contributors not only elucidates important achievements, but also outlines future directions in this dynamic and promising field.

NMR of Newly Accessible Nuclei, Volume 1: Chemical and Biochemical Applications is a 10-chapter text that explores the properties, advantages, developments, and chemical and biochemical applications of NMR technique. This book describes first the operation of an NMR spectrometer under its two aspects, namely, the instrumental and the computational aspects. The next chapters are devoted to some of the most important pulse sequences. The discussion then shifts to the various factors determining the position of the observed absorption and those responsible for the various relaxation processes. The last chapters deal with the specific applications of NMR, including in cation salvation, calcium-binding proteins, polyelectrolyte systems, halogens, and antibiotic ionophores. This book is of value to inorganic and analytical chemists, and biophysicists.

Chemical and Biochemical Applications of Lasers, Volume IV focuses on the practical applications of standard commercial laser systems. This book examines the structural studies of DNA by fluorescence microscopy and discusses photochemistry and structural spectroscopy. Organized into eight chapters, this volume starts with an overview of a few cases of laser-induced fluorescence studies of biological molecules. This text then examines the sharp fluorescence spectra of complex molecules in solids that are obtained when a narrow-band laser selectively excites molecules in particular sites. Other chapters describe the theory and application of resonance Raman spectroscopy to various biological systems. This book provides as well a thorough treatment of coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy and its application in combustion diagnostics and analytical chemistry. The final chapter explores laser control of the sequential photochemical reaction of the drug psoralen with the two strands of the DNA double helix. Physicists, chemists, electrochemists, and chemical engineers will find this book useful.

Chemical and Biochemical Applications of Lasers aims to give a general introduction to as well as an evaluation of the successful application of lasers in various areas, especially in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry. The book begins with a basic knowledge of general laser physics and the types of lasers, then moves on to more specific topics that include the Raman spectra of biological materials; laser spectroscopy of gas phase ions; and optical analogs of magnetic spectroscopy. The text also discusses the molecular beams; the energy flow in polyatomic molecules; and the different properties of molecules in relation to electronical excitation and quasi-electric light scattering. Studies of different chemical reactions are also included. The text is recommended for chemists, biochemists, and chemical physicists who want to know more about lasers and its applications to their respective fields. The book will also be helpful for those concerned with the chemical reactions lasers can bring about and for those who want to conduct further studies regarding laser uses.

"As will be seen, there is not much missing here. I thought that the sections were well balanced, with rarely too much or too little on a given topic...This is a text to be welcomed by both teachers and students." BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION (on the first edition) The second edition of this successful textbook explains the basic principles behind the key techniques currently used in the modern biochemical laboratory and describes the pros and cons of each technique and compares one to another. It is non-mathematical, comprehensive and approachable for students who are not physical chemists. A major update of this comprehensive, accessible introduction to physical biochemistry. Includes two new chapters on proteomics and bioinformatics. Introduces experimental approaches with a minimum of mathematics and numerous practical examples. Provides a bibliography at the end of each chapter. Written by an author with many years teaching and research experience, this text is a must-have for students of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular and life sciences and food science.