The Importance of Biochemistry

The importance of biochemistry  The discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA.  The elucidation of the flow of information from gene to protein.  The determination of the 3-D structure and action of many protein molecules.  The development of recombinant DNA technology has made the genome an open book.  All of these are some outstanding achievement of biochemistry. Continue…  Organisms as simple as bacteria such as E.Coli and human being use the same building blocks to construct macromolecules.  Biochemistry is profoundly influencing medicine and clinical diagnostics.  DNA probe are coming into play in the precise diagnosis of inherited disorders, infectious diseases and cancers.  Genetically engineered strains of bacteria containing recombinant DNA are producing valuable proteins such as insulin, growth hormone. Continue…  Biochemistry makes possible the rational design of new     drugs. Agriculture too, is benefiting from recombinant DNA technology. Stem cell is another important issue in biochemistrymedicine. All diseases have biochemical basis ex: Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by excess of NO released by macrophages. Biochemical studies contribute to prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. Strategies for studying biochemical rxns          At the whole animal level: Removal of an organ (hepatectomy) Alteration of diet (fasting – feeding) Administration of a drug Use of an animal model with a specific disease ex: diabetes ( making a diabetic rat ) Instrumentation: Use of sophisticated techniques such as NMR, spectroscopy, VIA techniques, PCR and etc… Chemicals: Use of radioactive or radioisotop labeling techniques