Biophysical chemistry
Encyclopedia
Biophysical chemistry is a relatively new branch of chemistry
that covers a broad spectrum of research activities involving biological systems
. The most common feature of the research in this subject is to seek explanation of the various phenomena in biological systems in terms of either the molecules that make up the system or the supra-molecular
structure of these systems.
Biophysical chemists employ various techniques used in physical chemistry
to probe the structure of biological systems. These techniques include spectroscopic methods like nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) and X-ray diffraction. For example, the work for which Nobel Prize was awarded in 2009 to three chemists was based on x-ray diffraction studies of ribosomes. Some of the areas in which biophysical chemists engage themselves are protein structure
and the functional structure of cell membranes. For example, enzyme
action can be explained in terms of the shape of a pocket in the protein molecule that matches the shape of the substrate
molecule or its modification due to binding of a metal ion. Similarly the structure and function of the biomembranes may be understood through the study of model supramolecular structures as liposomes or phospholipid
vesicles
of different compositions and sizes.
The oldest reputed institute for biophysical chemistry is Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
in Göttingen
.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
that covers a broad spectrum of research activities involving biological systems
Systems biology
Systems biology is a term used to describe a number of trends in bioscience research, and a movement which draws on those trends. Proponents describe systems biology as a biology-based inter-disciplinary study field that focuses on complex interactions in biological systems, claiming that it uses...
. The most common feature of the research in this subject is to seek explanation of the various phenomena in biological systems in terms of either the molecules that make up the system or the supra-molecular
Supramolecular chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry refers to the area of chemistry beyond the molecules and focuses on the chemical systems made up of a discrete number of assembled molecular subunits or components...
structure of these systems.
Biophysical chemists employ various techniques used in physical chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
to probe the structure of biological systems. These techniques include spectroscopic methods like nuclear magnetic resonance
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Nuclear magnetic resonance is a physical phenomenon in which magnetic nuclei in a magnetic field absorb and re-emit electromagnetic radiation...
(NMR) and X-ray diffraction. For example, the work for which Nobel Prize was awarded in 2009 to three chemists was based on x-ray diffraction studies of ribosomes. Some of the areas in which biophysical chemists engage themselves are protein structure
Protein structure
Proteins are an important class of biological macromolecules present in all organisms. Proteins are polymers of amino acids. Classified by their physical size, proteins are nanoparticles . Each protein polymer – also known as a polypeptide – consists of a sequence formed from 20 possible L-α-amino...
and the functional structure of cell membranes. For example, enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
action can be explained in terms of the shape of a pocket in the protein molecule that matches the shape of the substrate
Substrate (biochemistry)
In biochemistry, a substrate is a molecule upon which an enzyme acts. Enzymes catalyze chemical reactions involving the substrate. In the case of a single substrate, the substrate binds with the enzyme active site, and an enzyme-substrate complex is formed. The substrate is transformed into one or...
molecule or its modification due to binding of a metal ion. Similarly the structure and function of the biomembranes may be understood through the study of model supramolecular structures as liposomes or phospholipid
Phospholipid
Phospholipids are a class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes as they can form lipid bilayers. Most phospholipids contain a diglyceride, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule such as choline; one exception to this rule is sphingomyelin, which is derived from...
vesicles
Vesicle (biology)
A vesicle is a bubble of liquid within another liquid, a supramolecular assembly made up of many different molecules. More technically, a vesicle is a small membrane-enclosed sack that can store or transport substances. Vesicles can form naturally because of the properties of lipid membranes , or...
of different compositions and sizes.
The oldest reputed institute for biophysical chemistry is Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
The Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen is a research institute of the Max Planck Society. Currently, 812 people work at the Institute, 353 of them are scientists....
in Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
.
Publications
- Biophysical JournalBiophysical JournalThe Biophysical Journal is the journal of the Biophysical Society published by Cell Press. The society comprises chemists, biochemists, and physical chemists, biologists, neuroscientists, plant and animal physiologists, engineers, mathematicians, and physicists...
- Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Published by: Academic PressAcademic PressAcademic Press is an academic book publisher. Originally independent, it was acquired by Harcourt, Brace & World in 1969. Reed Elsevier bought Harcourt in 2000, and Academic Press is now an imprint of Elsevier....
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Published by: Academic PressAcademic PressAcademic Press is an academic book publisher. Originally independent, it was acquired by Harcourt, Brace & World in 1969. Reed Elsevier bought Harcourt in 2000, and Academic Press is now an imprint of Elsevier....
- Biochimica et Biophysica ActaBiochimica et Biophysica ActaBiochimica et Biophysica Acta is a peer-reviewed scientific journal in the field of biochemistry and biophysics that was established in 1947...
, Published by: Elsevier Science - Biophysical Chemistry, An International Journal devoted to the Physics and Chemistry of Biological Phenomena, Published by:Elsevier Science
- Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods, Published by: Elsevier Science
- Journal of Biochemistry, Biology and Biophysics, Published by: Taylor & Francis Group
- Journal de Chimie Physique, Physico-Chimie Biologique, International journal of physical chemistry, chemical physics and biophysics, Published by: EDP Sciences and the Societe Francaise de Chimie