Chemical biology

Chemical biology is a discipline within science that studies effects of small molecules on biological processes. In contrast to biotechnology, whose focus is often on large molecules, many chemical biologists focus primarily on small molecules. Interest in chemical biology expanded after the completion of the Human Genome Project. Further, developments in proteomics continue to stimulate interest in chemical biology.

Related Topics:
Science - Effect - Small molecule - Biotechnology - Molecule - Human Genome Project - Proteomics

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Many chemical biologists use robotics to experiment with effects of small molecules on biological processes. More specifically, they observe changes in the behaviors of proteins when small molecules bind to them. Such experiments may supposedly lead to discovery of small molecules with antibiotic or chemotherapeutic properties. Indeed, some scientists (such as Jon Clardy of the Harvard Medical School) hope chemical biology will lead to cures for malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS.

Related Topics:
Robotics - Protein - Antibiotic - Harvard Medical School - Malaria - Tuberculosis - AIDS

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Chemical biologist Stuart Schreiber advocates building a “perturbogen” library of about 500,000 small molecules that could specifically activate or deactivate every protein in the human body. Schreiber estimates such a project would require at least a decade. A purpose of the library would be to enable biomedical engineers to develop therapies more efficiently.

Related Topics:
Library - Human body - Decade

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