Structural Biochemistry/What is Structural Biochemistry?

Overview

Structural Biochemistry is a subdivision of biochemistry mainly focused on the components, structures and functions of molecules within cells that make up the living organisms. Biochemistry attempts to explain the phenomenon of life in chemical terms by using various theories in Chemistry and the laws of Physics.

Structural biochemistry concentrates on the study of macromolecules

• Carbohydrates
  • Monomers : Monosaccharides
• Proteins
  • Monomers : Amino Acids
• Lipids
  • Monomers : Fatty Acids and Glycerol
• Nucleic Acids (DNA & RNA)
  • Monomers : Nucleotides

Examples of laboratory techniques to study macromolecules

• For separation of protein
  • Gel-Filtration Chromatography
  • Ion-Exchange Chromatography
  • Affinity Chromatography
  • High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography

• Biotechnology to study DNA & RNA
  • Restriction-enzyme analysis
  • Blotting techniques:Northern Blotting and Southern Blotting
  • DNA sequencing
  • Solid-phase synthesis of nucleic acids
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)