Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. There is much excitement and activity in biochemistry today for several reasons:

First, the chemical bases of many central processes are now understood. The discovery of the structure of DNA, the elucidation of the flow of information from gene to protein, the determination of the three-dimensional structure and mechanism of action of many protein molecules, the unravelling of central metabolic pathways and energy conservation mechanisms, and the development of recombinant DNA technology are some of the outstanding achievements of biochemistry.
Secondly, it is now known that common molecular patterns and principles underlie the diverse expressions of life. Organisms as different as bacteria and human beings use the same building blocks to construct macromolecules. The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essentially the same in all organisms. ATP, the universal currency of energy in biological systems, is generated in similar ways by all forms of life.
Third, biochemistry is profoundly influencing medicine. The molecular mechanisms of many diseases such as sickle-cell anaemia and numerous inborn errors of metabolism have been elucidated. Assays of enzyme activity are indispensable in clinical diagnosis. DNA probes are important in the diagnosis of genetic disorders, infectious diseases and cancers. Recombinant DNA technology is being used to produce valuable protei...More