Revista de Ciências Químicas

Chemical Biology: Bridging Chemistry and Biology

Abstract

Leah Volker

Chemical biology is a dynamic interdisciplinary field that amalgamates principles of chemistry and biology to elucidate and manipulate biological systems at the molecular level. It stands at the intersection of these two disciplines, utilizing chemical tools and techniques to investigate complex biological phenomena. By leveraging the precision and versatility of chemical synthesis, chemical biologists unravel the intricacies of biological processes and develop innovative strategies for disease diagnosis, drug discovery and therapeutic interventions. At its core, chemical biology seeks to decipher the chemical language of biological systems. Central to this endeavor is the synthesis and design of chemical probes, small molecules and biomolecular agents that interact selectively with specific biological targets. These tools serve as molecular probes to interrogate the functions, interactions and dynamics of biomolecules within living systems. Through the integration of synthetic chemistry, bioinformatics and structural biology, chemical biologists engineer molecules with tailored properties to dissect intricate cellular processes.