Biochemistry is the study of the molecular and chemical basis of life. There is much excitement over biochemistry in the world today. Why? And what has Biochemistry done for you (and me) lately?

In the 30's Linus Pauling described the chemical bond and in the 40's he predicted and then demonstrated the triple helix nature of a protein known as collagen (you know this as Jell-O). And in the 50's there was the much publicized race between Pauling and the team of Watson and Crick to determine the alpha-helical nature of DNA and its obvious role in inheritance. Since this time the field of biochemistry has advanced at breakneck speed. We now know that the flow of genetic information is from genes to proteins and the structure of proteins can now be predicted with great accuracy and modeled on a simple personal computer.

In the past it was a heroic effort to sequence an entire protein and indeed individuals received the Nobel Prize for just that. But now machines do our sequencing, one only needs as little as 10 picograms of material-- less than 1000th that left behind in a fingerprint. And speaking of fingerprints, there is enough DNA left behind in a fingerprint to allow identification of the individual who left it there. Why? The answer lies in the power of a technique known as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (or PCR) and we will learn of this technique. PCR has allowed the amplification and sequencing of DNA to proceed at a stifling pace. In your lifetime the entire genetic code of a human being will be known.

Above all else, biochemistry is profoundly changing medicine: 1) drugs have been developed for treatment of infectious diseases which were once the scourge of the planet, discovery of insulin for treatment of diabetes, powerful anticancer agents (EPO, IL-2), drugs for lowering your cholesterol level, even compounds that help the hair on your head to grow. We now use DNA probes to reveal genetic abnormalities--all of which brings about a truckload of ethical questions. And with the ever-increasing ability to diagnose inherited diseases comes the concept of curing them with selective delivery of genetic material. Children living in "bubbles" who lack an immune system are the first to be tested by this approach. Currently we rely on assays for enzymes, which are indispensable for clinical diagnosis (liver dysfunction, infectious diseases, cancer, and diabetes). Genetically engineered bacteria and yeasts are producing valuable proteins such as insulin, growth hormone, erythropoietin and vaccines.

Modem biochemistry is quickening the pace of drug discovery and rational drug design. Already, the HIV protease has been modeled on computers and special programs allow scientists to construct chemicals which selectively inhibit this viral enzyme and dramatically alter the outlook and treatment of AIDS.

In agriculture, things are changing as well and as rapidly. At the grocery store one can now buy genetically engineered tomatoes. Florists offer engineered flowers. And Nursery's offer engineered grape vines. The yogurt and cheese that you eat are most likely processed with a genetically engineered organism-resistant to invasion by bacterial viruses.

What techniques underlie these advances? In the next few months, I'll hope to have sufficient time and opportunity to bring you to a point of understanding and appreciating what Mother Nature has done.

But before I begin, I'd like to get some information about you.

Name, Major, Current level of education, Relevant classes which you've taken, and Science interests/goals. And why are you taking the class? (i.e., simply to fill a needed requirement or to go on to nursing school, nutrition, pre-dent- or premed, or simply out of interest?)

About the book: Buy it and follow along by reading the chapters in succession as we begin with chapter 2. Tests will be derived from material presented in class. I apologize in advance that Stryer's biochemistry textbook is a full Biochemistry text, we'll steer away from being too bogged down by equations and theories. It is simply the best student-friendly and teacher-friendly textbook available.