Chemical Modification of Biological Polymers

Examining the chemical modification of biological polymers and the emerging applications of this technology in the field of biotechnology, this book reflects the change in emphasis from the study of protein structure/function toward applications in therapeutics and diagnostics. It begins with a review of the basic science involved, including the underlying organic chemistry, the use of various chemical reagents, and the chemical modification of nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and proteins. It then discusses the characterization of non-enzymatic chemical modification of biopolymers and the use of chemical modification to produce biotechnology products.