This book provides the first systematic treatment of the thermodynamic theory of site-specific effects in biological macromolecules. It describes the phenomenological and conceptual bases required to allow a mechanistic understanding of these effects from analysis of experimental data. The thermodynamic theory also results in novel experimental strategies that enable the derivation of information on local, site-specific properties of a macromolecular system from analysis of perturbed global properties. The treatment focuses on binding phenomena, but is amenable to extension both conceptually and formally to the analysis of other cooperative processes, such as folding and helix-coil transitions. This book will interest any scientist involved in structure-function studies of biological macromolecules, or as a text for graduate students in biochemistry and biophysics.

The aim of the book is to introduce the reader to the kinetic analysis of a wide range of biological processes at the molecular level. It is intended to show that the same approach can be used to resolve the number of steps in enzyme reactions, muscle contraction, visual perception and ligand binding receptors that trigger other physiological processes. Attention is also given to methods for characterizing these steps in chemical terms. Although the treatment is mainly theoretical, a wide range of examples and experimental techniques are also introduced and an historical approach is used to demonstrate the development of the theory and experimental techniques of kinetic analysis in biology.

This volume commemorates the 50th anniversary of the appearance in Volume 4 in 1948 of Dr. Jeffries Wyman's famous paper in which he "laid down" the foundations of linkage thermodynamics. Experts in this area contribute articles on the state-of-the-art of this important field and on new developments of the original theory. Among the topics covered in this volume are electrostatic contributions to molecular free energies in solution; site-specific analysis of mutational effects in proteins; allosteric transitions of the acetylcholine receptor; and deciphering the molecular code of hemoglobin allostery.

Calorimetry, as a technique for thermal analysis, has a wide range of applications which are not only limited to studying the thermal characterisation (e.g. melting temperature, denaturation temperature and enthalpy change) of small and large drug molecules, but are also extended to characterisation of fuel, metals and oils. Differential Scanning Calorimetry is used to study the thermal behaviours of drug molecules and excipients by measuring the differential heat flow needed to maintain the temperature difference between the sample and reference cells equal to zero upon heating at a controlled programmed rate. Microcalorimetry is used to study the thermal transition and folding of biological macromolecules in dilute solutions. Microcalorimetry is applied in formulation and stabilisation of therapeutic proteins. This book presents research from all over the world on the applications of calorimetry on both solid and liquid states of materials.

Ligand-macromolecule interactions are of fundamental importance in the control of biological processes. This book applies the principles of linkage thermodynamics to polyfunctional macromolecular systems under equilibrium conditions, and describes the binding, linkage, and feedback phenomena that lead to control of complex metabolic processes. The first chapter sets out the different processes (conformational changes, changes in state of aggregation, phase changes) involving biological macromolecules which are affected by chemical variables (such as ligands) or physical variables (such as temperature and pressure). The general effects of ligands on micromolecular conformations and interactions are illustrated with specific examples from the respiratory proteins, electron-transport proteins, and nucleic acid binding proteins. Subsequent chapters develop these themes, and describe in detail how the mathematics of regulation and control can be applied to macromolecules in biological system.

Thermodynamics is one of the most exciting branches of physical chemistry which has greatly contributed to the modern science. Being concentrated on a wide range of applications of thermodynamics, this book gathers a series of contributions by the finest scientists in the world, gathered in an orderly manner. It can be used in post-graduate courses for students and as a reference book, as it is written in a language pleasing to the reader. It can also serve as a reference material for researchers to whom the thermodynamics is one of the area of interest.

Connects fundamental knowledge of multivalent interactions with current practice and state-of-the-art applications Multivalency is a widespread phenomenon, with applications spanning supramolecular chemistry, materials chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry and biochemistry. This advanced textbook provides students and junior scientists with an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of multivalent interactions, whilst expanding the knowledge of experienced researchers in the field. Multivalency: Concepts, Research & Applications is divided into three parts. Part one provides background knowledge on various aspects of multivalency and cooperativity and presents practical methods for their study. Fundamental aspects such as thermodynamics, kinetics and the principle of effective molarity are described, and characterisation methods, experimental methodologies and data treatment methods are also discussed. Parts two and three provide an overview of current systems in which multivalency plays an important role in chemistry and biology, with a focus on the design rules, underlying chemistry and the fundamental principles of multivalency. The systems covered range from chemical/materials-based ones such as dendrimers and sensors, to biological systems including cell recognition and protein binding. Examples and case studies from biochemistry/bioorganic chemistry as well as synthetic systems feature throughout the book. Introduces students and young scientists to the field of multivalent interactions and assists experienced researchers utilising the methodologies in their work Features examples and case studies from biochemistry/bioorganic chemistry, as well as synthetic systems throughout the book Edited by leading experts in the field with contributions from established scientists Multivalency: Concepts, Research & Applications is recommended for graduate students and junior scientists in supramolecular chemistry and related fields, looking for an introduction to multivalent interactions. It is also highly useful to experienced academics and scientists in industry working on research relating to multivalent and cooperative systems in supramolecular chemistry, organic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, materials science and nanotechnology.