biochemistry

## What I do - Analyze chemical reactions and processes in living systems - Study enzyme kinetics and catalytic mechanisms - Investigate metabolic pathways and regulation - Characterize biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates) - Research protein structure-function relationships - Apply biochemical techniques to solve biological problems ## When to use me - When studying enzyme mechanisms and inhibition - When analyzing metabolic pathways and disorders - When characterizing biomolecules and their interactions - When investigating cellular biochemistry and signaling - When developing biochemical assays and diagnostics ## Key Concepts ### Major Metabolic Pathways **Glycolysis**: Glucose → Pyruvate + ATP **Citric Acid Cycle**: Acetyl-CoA oxidation + electron carriers **Oxidative Phosphorylation**: ATP synthesis via electron transport **Gluconeogenesis**: Glucose synthesis from non-carbohydrates **Beta-Oxidation**: Fatty acid catabolism **Photosynthesis**: Light reactions + Calvin cycle ### Enzyme Kinetics ```python # Example: Michaelis-Menten kinetics import numpy as np def michaelis_menten(S, Vmax, Km): """ Calculate reaction velocity. S: Substrate concentration Vmax: Maximum velocity Km: Michaelis constant """ return (Vmax * S) / (Km + S) def lineweaver_burk(S, v, Vmax, Km): """Linearize Michaelis-Menten for parameter estimation.""" return 1/v, 1/S, 1/Vmax, -1/Km ``` ### Key Techniques - Spectroscopy: UV-Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism - Chromatography: HPLC, FPLC, affinity chromatography - Electrophoresis: SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, 2D gel - Mass spectrometry: MALDI-TOF, LC-MS - Calorimetry: ITC, DSC - Microscopy: Confocal, cryo-EM