Table of Contents (62k)
Preface (95k)
Chapter 1: Development of the Chemistry and Macromolecular Structures of Proteins (484k)

The first two chapters of this invaluable book trace the developments of the chemistry and macromolecular structures, respectively, of proteins and nuclei acids. Similarly, the introductions to the succeeding chapters review, step by step, the historical landmarks in the topics covered. These include discoveries of biological phosphate esters, nucleotides and nucleotide coenzymes (important in intermediary metabolism), the nature of the genetic material and biological synthesis of proteins, formulation of the problem of the genetic code, and perspectives on bioenergetics.

The selected papers illustrate the developments of the chemical synthesis of nucleotides and nucleotide coenzymes of ribo- and deoxy-ribo-polynucleotides (RNA, DNA), of the total synthesis of genes in the laboratory, and principles for gene amplification (PCR). Another major section covers studies of enzymes that degrade nucleic acids, the structure of transfer RNA and its role in protein synthesis, and the author's work on the elucidation of the genetic code. Finally, there are descriptions of the studies on biological membranes and the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin, a biological proton pump. These studies elucidated the mechanism of proton translocation, which is central to bioenergetics.

Contents:

• Development of the Chemistry and Macromolecular Structures of Proteins
• Development of the Chemistry and Macromolecular Structures of Nucleic Acids
• Carbodiimides as Synthetic Reagents
• Phosphoric Acid Esters in Intermediary Metalbolism: Development of Methods for Their Synthesis
• Chemical Synthesis of Polynucleotides
• Enzymes That Degrade Nuclei Acids
• The Genetic Code: (A) Specificity in Protein Synthesis, The Transfer Ribonucleic Acids
• The Genetic Code: (B) Basic Features and Codon Assignments
• The Total Synthesis of Genes
• Gene Amplification (PCR)
• Bionergetics: Bacteriorhodopsin, a Light-Driven Proton Pump

"Khorana has been a leading scientist during a crucial period in the development of molecular biology and he intimately knew the people who influenced the field. He brings to this book the view of a chemist and he emphasizes the potential of organic chemistry in biology. This is a very important book for young scientists in the fields of molecular biology, genetics and medical science."

"Khorana is unique in his mastery of molecular biology, enzymology and organic chemistry. Only in this beautifully organized and illustrated volume can one find such a lively synthesis of these disciplines from the first synthesis of a gene to the mechanism in bioenergetics."

"These pages present the beginnings of chemical gene synthesis, as described by its principal architect and builder, and accompanied by his perspectives on this exciting formative period in molecular biology."

"Through original research papers and historical overviews, this book demonstrates how studies on the basic chemistry of nucleic acids and their components, from as early as the 1950s, have been fundamental to solving the genetic code and the chemical synthesis of genes. As the book progresses to more recent work on bacteriorhodopsin and signal transduction one marvels how the author's motivation and detailed knowledge of phosphate chemistry has been instrumental in the progress of science."

"Khorana, a pioneer of chemical biology, shares in this beautifully presented book his spectacular contributions to the foundations of this rapidly expanding field."