Biophysical techniques

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Biophysical techniques are methods used for gaining information about biological systems on an atomic or molecular level. They overlap with methods from other branches of science.

Main biophysical techniques are: Image:Manusingmicroscope.jpg

• Circular dichroism, a method for detecting chiral groups in molecules, especially to determine the secondary structure of proteins
• Electron microscopy, to gain high-resolution images of subcellular structures
• Fluorescence spectroscopy, which can be used to detect structural rearrangements, as well as interactions of biomolecules
• Force spectroscopy probes the mechanical properties of individual molecules or macromolecular assemblies using small flexible cantilevers, focussed laser light, or magnetic fields.
• Gel electrophoresis, which is used to determine the mass, the charge and the interactions of biological molecules
• Mass spectrometry is a technique that gives the molecular mass with great accuracy.
• Microscopy, for example using laser instruments for scanning and transmission.
• Optical tweezers and Magnetic tweezers allow for the manipulation of single molecules, providing information about DNA and its interaction with proteins and molecular motors, such as Helicase and RNA polymerase.
• NMR spectroscopy, giving information about the exact structure of biological molecules, as well as on dynamics
• Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a technique, that gives a rough low resolution molecular structure.
• Spectrophotometry, the measurement of the transmission of light through different solutions or substances at different wavelengths of light. Colorimetry is an example of this.
• Ultracentrifugation, which gives information on the shape and mass of molecules
• various chromatography technique, which are used for the purification and analysis of biological molecules
• X-ray crystallography, another method to gain access to the exact structure of molecules with atomic resolution

See also: biophysics

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