Biophysical techniques – methods used for gaining information about biological systems on an atomic or molecular level. They overlap with methods from many other branches of science. •
Biophotonics – combination of biology and photonics, with photonics being the science and technology of generation, manipulation, and detection of photons, quantum units of light. Biophotonics can also be described as the "development and application of optical techniques, particularly imaging, to the study of biological molecules, cells and tissue". One of the main benefits of using optical techniques which make up biophotonics is that they preserve the integrity of the biological cells being examined. •
Calcium imaging – various optical techniques for recording the location and concentration of calcium. Typically this is done in cell and tissue samples using either genetically encoded or chemically derived fluorescent calcium indicating dyes. •
Calorimetry – •
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) – measures the heat effects caused by interactions. •
Chromatography – various techniques from this field are used for the purification and analysis of biological molecules •
Circular Dichroism – method to measure
chirality of a sample using
circularly polarized light. This technique is commonly used to determine
protein structure. •
Computational chemistry – use of numerical methods to probe the structure and dynamical equilibrium in biological systems. •
Cryobiology – studies the effects of low
temperatures on living things •
Dual Polarisation Interferometry – analytical technique used to measure the real-time conformation and activity of a wide range of biomolecules and their interactions. •
Electron microscopy – used to gain high-resolution images of subcellular structures and proteins. •
Electrophysiology – studies electrical properties of cell membranes and provide functional data, often related to systematic changes in structure. •
Patch clamping – provides temporal and electrical information of a cell, or a portion of membrane. Typically this provides data on electrogenic processes, such
ion channel or
transporter activity. •
Fluorescence spectroscopy – for detecting structural rearrangements, as well as interactions of biomolecules.
See also, Fluorescence. •
Force spectroscopy – probes the mechanical properties of individual molecules or macromolecular assemblies using small flexible cantilevers, focused laser light, or magnetic fields. •
Gel electrophoresis – determines the mass, the charge and the interactions of biological molecules •
Imaging – scientific imaging of biological materials, usually by some form of
microscopy, or sometimes indirectly such as in
x-ray crystallography or by computer imaging; at a wide range of magnifications to see
macromolecules,
cells,
tissues, or organisms •
Mass spectrometry – technique that gives the molecular mass with great accuracy. •
Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) – method to measure binding affinities, enzymatic activities, changes in molecule conformation and changes in size, charge or hydration entropy. •
Microscopy – used in many ways, for example, to enable the use of laser instruments for scanning and transmission. •
Atomic force microscopy – •
Neuroimaging – •
Neutron spin echo spectroscopy – •
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy – method for measuring the local environment of atomic nuclei within a sample. Can be used to derive both structural and kinetic information on proteins and small molecules. •
Protein NMR spectroscopy – provides information about the exact structure of biological molecules, as well as on dynamics •
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. •
Rheology and
Microrheology •
Single molecule spectroscopy – is a technique that is sensitive enough to detect single molecules and often incorporates fluorescence detection. •
Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) – technique that gives a rough low resolution molecular structure. •
Spectrophotometry – measurement of the transmission of light through different solutions or substances at different wavelengths of light. •
Colorimetry – •
Spectroscopy and
Circular dichroism – method for detecting
chiral groups in molecules, especially to determine the
secondary structure of
proteins •
Ultracentrifugation – gives information on the shape and mass of molecules •
X-ray crystallography – method to determine the exact structure of molecules with atomic resolution == Applications ==