Biophysical chemistry

Biophysical chemistry studies biological systems. It is a relatively new branch of chemistry. It looks for explanations 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 tools used in physical chemistry to probe the structure of biological systems. These tools include spectroscopic methods like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray diffraction. For example, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 was based on x-ray diffraction studies of ribosomes.

Biophysical chemists study 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, biophysical chemists study the structure and function of the biomembranes using model supramolecular structures. These include liposomes or phospholipid vesicles of different compositions and sizes.

The oldest well-known institute for biophysical chemistry is Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen.

Other pages

• Biophysical techniques
• Biophysics

Publications

1. Biophysical Journal
2. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Published by: Academic Press
3. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Published by: Academic Press
4. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Published by: Elsevier Science
5. Biophysical Chemistry, An International Journal devoted to the Physics and Chemistry of Biological Phenomena, Published by:Elsevier Science
6. Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods, Published by: Elsevier Science
7. Journal of Biochemistry, Biology and Biophysics, Published by: Taylor & Francis Group
8. 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