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