Biothermodynamics

In the past several years, there has been an explosion in the ability of biologists, molecular biologists and biochemists to collect vast amounts of data on their systems. This volume presents sophisticated methods for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and small molecule interactions. The use of thermodynamics in biological research is used as an “energy book-keeping system. While the structure and function of a molecule is important, it is equally important to know what drives the energy force. These methods look to answer: What are the sources of energy that drive the function? Which of the pathways are of biological significance? As the base of macromolecular structures continues to expand through powerful techniques of molecular biology, such as X-ray crystal data and spectroscopy methods, the importance of tested and reliable methods for answering these questions will continue to expand as well.

Building upon the idea that our current "environmental question" arises from the history of metaphysics—which privileged thought about Being (or ontology) over the conditions of life—this book reinterprets Heraclitus’s notion of physis as the fundamental, emergent potency of life, as the category to-be-thought by thinkers. In so doing, it deconstructs the interpretation offered by Heidegger and so stresses the struggle between the creative force of life and its subjection to the human Logos or "meaning". Physis, understood as the pre-ontological potentiality of life itself, thus becomes the cornerstone of a materialist philosophy of life. Following engagements with the work of Nietzsche, Foucault, and Janicaud to explore the significance of human intervention into the realm of life via the "will to power", "biopower" and the "power of rationality" respectively, the author explores twentieth-century rearticulations of the concept of physis through a range of developments in biothermodynamics, thus grounding a new philosophy of life and a new bioeconomics in a revisited biothermodynamics centered on the concept of negentropy. An extensive engagement with the history and development of thought about the generative force of life on Earth, Physis, Biopower, Biothermodynamics, and Bioeconomics: The Fire of Life will appeal to scholars of philosophy, social theory, and political theory with interests in environmental thought, political ecology, and questions of sustainability.

Over the past several decades there has been increasing research interest in thermodynamics as applied to biological systems. This concerns topics such as muscle work and internal energy such as fat and starch. Applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to the human body are important to dieticians and health science experts, and applications of these concepts to the animal body are a major concern of animal scientists. This book covers these key topics, which are typically not covered in classic or traditional thermodynamics texts used in mechanical and chemical engineering.

This book covers the fundamentals of the rapidly growing field of biothermodynamics, showing how thermodynamics can best be applied to applications and processes in biochemical engineering. It describes the rigorous application of thermodynamics in biochemical engineering to rationalize bioprocess development and obviate a substantial fraction of t

Discusses the history and biological processes of thermodynamics. The first half of the book covers theoretical aspects of thermodynamic principles which will aid in understanding biochemical processes. Later chapters deal with the interpretation of data obtained from biochemical reactions, ligand binding, and calorimetric measurements on biological systems.

Because classical thermodynamics evolved into many branches of science and engineering, most undergraduate courses on the subject are taught from the perspective of each area of specialization. General Thermodynamics combines elements from mechanical and chemical engineering, chemistry (including electrochemistry), materials science, and b

"an impressive text that addresses a glaring gap in the teaching of physical chemistry, being specifically focused on biologically-relevant systems along with a practical focus.... the ample problems and tutorials throughout are much appreciated." –Tobin R. Sosnick, Professor and Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago "Presents both the concepts and equations associated with statistical thermodynamics in a unique way that is at visual, intuitive, and rigorous. This approach will greatly benefit students at all levels." –Vijay S. Pande, Henry Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry, Stanford University "a masterful tour de force.... Barrick's rigor and scholarship come through in every chapter." –Rohit V. Pappu, Edwin H. Murty Professor of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis This book provides a comprehensive, contemporary introduction to developing a quantitative understanding of how biological macromolecules behave using classical and statistical thermodynamics. The author focuses on practical skills needed to apply the underlying equations in real life examples. The text develops mechanistic models, showing how they connect to thermodynamic observables, presenting simulations of thermodynamic behavior, and analyzing experimental data. The reader is presented with plenty of exercises and problems to facilitate hands-on learning through mathematical simulation. Douglas E. Barrick is a professor in the Department of Biophysics at Johns Hopkins University. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in biophysics and structural biology from the University of Oregon.

Biochemical engineering is one of the pillars of our basic technological knowledge, with applications in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and water-treatment industries. However, the understanding of the basic thermodynamics of processes that involve cells or other forms of life is still incomplete, and is under investigation in intensive research efforts. Indeed, as a result of incomplete understanding, the need for empirical trials is so overwhelming in process development that extensive use of high-throughput experimental platforms remains unavoidable. This book organizes the fundamentals of the rapidly growing field of biothermodynamics, as it has been presented in a course given regularly over the past 20 years, with the aim of showing how thermodynamics can best be applied to applications and processes in biochemical engineering. It is the authors’ hope that the rigorous application of thermodynamics in biochemical engineering may be able to greatly rationalize bioprocess development and obviate a substantial fraction of this need for tedious experimental work. As such, this book will appeal to a diverse group of readers, ranging from students and professors in biochemical engineering, to scientists and engineers, for whom it will be a valuable reference.

In the last several years there has been an explosion in the ability of biologists, molecular biologists and biochemists to collect vast amounts of data on their systems. This volume presents sophisticated methods for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and small molecule interactions.

In the past several years, there has been an explosion in the ability of biologists, molecular biologists and biochemists to collect vast amounts of data on their systems. Biothermodynamics, Part C presents sophisticated methods for estimating the thermodynamic parameters of specific protein-protein, protein-DNA and small molecule interactions. The use of thermodynamics in biological research is used as an “energy book-keeping system. While the structure and function of a molecule is important, it is equally important to know what drives the energy force. These methods look to answer: What are the sources of energy that drive the function? Which of the pathways are of biological significance? As the base of macromolecular structures continues to expand through powerful techniques of molecular biology, such as X-ray crystal data and spectroscopy methods, the importance of tested and reliable methods for answering these questions will continue to expand as well. Elucidates the relationships between structure and energetics and their applications to molecular design, aiding researchers in the design of medically important molecules Provides a "must-have" methods volume that keeps MIE buyers and online subscribers up-to-date with the latest research Offers step-by-step lab instructions, including necessary equipment, from a global research community