Biochemical Techniques: Theory and Practice

Techniques and methods that are used to analyze substances which govern the chemical reactions underlying various life processes are studied under biochemical techniques. It includes investigative procedures such as spectroscopy and gel staining which help in determining the concentration and purity of various proteins and nucleic acids. Most biomolecules occur in very minute quantities inside living cells. Their analysis requires their purification and freeing them from contamination. This is achieved using various techniques including centrifugation, gel electrophoresis, precipitation and chromatography. These are interrelated methods which are based on different physical and chemical properties of biomolecules like shape, size, net charge, etc. Chromatography is the most widely used biochemical technique which can be further classified into gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography, gas chromatography and paper chromatography. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of different biochemical techniques. It is an upcoming field of science that has undergone rapid development over the past few decades. This textbook is appropriate for those seeking detailed information in this area.