A Guide to Protein Isolation
2nd Edition
Published on 8. May 2007
XII, 186 pages
978-0-306-46868-1 (ISBN)
Description
It is a truism of science that the more fundamental the subject, the more universally applicable it is. Nevertheless, it is important to strike a level of "fundamentalness" appropriate to the task in hand. For -depth study of the mechanics of motor cars would tell one example, an in nothing about the dynamics of traffic. Traffic exists on a different "level" - it is dependent upon the existence of motor vehicles but the physics and mathematics of traffic can be adequately addressed by considering motor vehicles as mobile "blobs",with no consideration of how they become mobile. To start a discourse on traffic with a consideration of the mechanics of motor vehicles would thus be inappropropriate. In writing this volume, I have wrestled with the question of the appropriate level at which to address the physics underlying many of the techniques used in protein isolation. I have tried to strike a level as would be used by a mechanic (with perhaps a slight leaning towards an engineer) - i.e. a practical level, offering appropriate insight but with minimal mathematics. Some people involved in biochemical research have a minimal grounding in chemistry and physics and so I have tried to keep it as simple as possible.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Clive Dennison
A Guide to Protein Isolation
Book
06/1999
Kluwer Academic Publishers
€89.13
Article exhausted; check different version
Content
An overview of protein isolation.- Assay, extraction and subcellular fractionation.- Concentration of the extract.- Chromatography.- Principles of Electrophoresis.- Immunological methods.
Chapter 1 An overview of protein isolation (p. 1-2)
Isolating a protein may be compared to playing a game of golf. In golf, the player is faced with a series of problems, each unique and yet similar to problems previously encountered. In facing each problem the player must analyse the situation and decide, from experience, which club is likely to give the best result in the given circumstances. Similarly, in attempting to isolate proteins, researchers face a series of similar-yetunique problems. To solve these they must dip into their bags and select an appropriate technique. The purpose of this book is thus to fill the beginnerís "golf bag" with techniques relevant to protein isolation, hopefully to improve their game.
Developing a protein isolation is also somewhat like finding a route up a mountainside. Different routes have to be explored and base-camps established at each stage. Occasionally it will be necessary to return to the base of the mountain for further supplies, and haul these up to the established camps, before the next stage can be attacked. A successful climb is always rewarding and if an efficient route is established, it may become a pass, opening the way to further discoveries
To gain insight. As with any mechanism, to study the way in which a living system works it is necessary to dismantle the machine and to isolate the component parts so that they may be studied, separately and in their interaction with other parts. The knowledge that is gained in this way may be put to practical use, for example, in the design of medicines, diagnostics, pesticides, or industrial processes. Many proteins may themselves be used as "medicines" to make up for losses or inadequate synthesis. Examples are hormones, such as insulin, which is used in the therapy of diabetes, and blood fractions, such as the so-called Factor VIII, which is used in the therapy of haemophilia. Other proteins may be used in medical diagnostics, an example being the enzymes glucose oxidase and peroxidase, which are used to measure glucose levels in biological fluids, such as blood and urine.
For use in Industry. Many enzymes are used in industrial processes, especially where the materials being processed are of biological origin. In every case a pure protein is desirable as impurities may either be misleading, dangerous or unproductive, respectively. Protein isolation is, therefore, a very common, almost central, procedure in biochemistry.
For use in Medicine. Many enzymes are used in industrial processes, especially where the materials being processed are of biological origin.
In every case a pure protein is desirable as impurities may either be misleading, dangerous or unproductive, respectively. Protein isolation is, therefore, a very common, almost central, procedure in biochemistry.
Isolating a protein may be compared to playing a game of golf. In golf, the player is faced with a series of problems, each unique and yet similar to problems previously encountered. In facing each problem the player must analyse the situation and decide, from experience, which club is likely to give the best result in the given circumstances. Similarly, in attempting to isolate proteins, researchers face a series of similar-yetunique problems. To solve these they must dip into their bags and select an appropriate technique. The purpose of this book is thus to fill the beginnerís "golf bag" with techniques relevant to protein isolation, hopefully to improve their game.
Developing a protein isolation is also somewhat like finding a route up a mountainside. Different routes have to be explored and base-camps established at each stage. Occasionally it will be necessary to return to the base of the mountain for further supplies, and haul these up to the established camps, before the next stage can be attacked. A successful climb is always rewarding and if an efficient route is established, it may become a pass, opening the way to further discoveries
1.1 Why do it?
To gain insight. As with any mechanism, to study the way in which a living system works it is necessary to dismantle the machine and to isolate the component parts so that they may be studied, separately and in their interaction with other parts. The knowledge that is gained in this way may be put to practical use, for example, in the design of medicines, diagnostics, pesticides, or industrial processes. Many proteins may themselves be used as "medicines" to make up for losses or inadequate synthesis. Examples are hormones, such as insulin, which is used in the therapy of diabetes, and blood fractions, such as the so-called Factor VIII, which is used in the therapy of haemophilia. Other proteins may be used in medical diagnostics, an example being the enzymes glucose oxidase and peroxidase, which are used to measure glucose levels in biological fluids, such as blood and urine.
For use in Industry. Many enzymes are used in industrial processes, especially where the materials being processed are of biological origin. In every case a pure protein is desirable as impurities may either be misleading, dangerous or unproductive, respectively. Protein isolation is, therefore, a very common, almost central, procedure in biochemistry.
For use in Medicine. Many enzymes are used in industrial processes, especially where the materials being processed are of biological origin.
In every case a pure protein is desirable as impurities may either be misleading, dangerous or unproductive, respectively. Protein isolation is, therefore, a very common, almost central, procedure in biochemistry.
