Methodologies for Metabolomics: Experimental Strategies and Techniques

Abstract

As we enter the age of molecular medicine, in which the time between identification of a molecular target and generation of a site-specific intervention is becoming increasingly small, a well-integrated understanding of the physical and chemical processes that govern molecular interactions is becoming exceedingly important. The Molecules of Life: Physical and Chemical Properties seeks to approach our current understanding of life by uniting fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and kinetics commonly taught in introductory physical chemistry courses with biological processes functioning at the level of molecular structure frequently taught in undergraduate biochemistry courses. Unlike other biochemistry textbooks, this text aims to present the concepts of thermodynamics through applied analysis of biological systems. The authors have taught a course at the University of California at Berkeley for the last few years using this approach that integrates thermodynamics and molecular systems and have found this strategy widely appealing to students from biology, chemistry, and biomedical engineering. The organization of the course follows the layout of The Molecules of Life, which begins with an introduction of biological macromolecules. The following chapters focus on the energy and entropy that govern interactions of the macromolecules and the application of these concepts in free energy and equilibrium. The authors then delve into molecular recognition and the rates of molecular processes and finish with protein and RNA folding and protein synthesis. The text is eloquently written and scattered with high-resolution images and easily interpreted figures and diagrams. Although this text is rather math heavy, important equations are derived in easy-to-follow detail, which provides an understanding of the equations necessary to answer the problems at the end of every chapter. For students or scientists looking for a quicker review of the material, each chapter is littered with gray boxes that summarize the information presented in the text. The Molecules of Life is ideal for beginning undergraduate or graduate students with a background in biochemistry, physics, and differential equations who wish to begin understanding the physical basis of life. The companion student resource website for this text contains animations and videos that dynamically illustrate important concepts from the book and premade flashcards that allow students review key terms from the text. In addition, students have the option to use the online site to mark or take notes in their books. For instructors and professors looking to prepare their students to ask important questions in the quantitative world that awaits the future of biomedical research, The Molecules of Life: Physical and Chemical Properties is an excellent selection.