Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

This book is a guide for the reader to understand the composition and function of the molecules that make up living cells. To address chemical biology-a field of immense breadth and depth-as it continues to expand and evolve, we focus on the organic chemistry of bioligomers. Bioligomers are responsible for every major function of the cell, including control, communication, and production. The central tenet of molecular biology serves as an organizing principle for students as they begin their tour of these molecules. Starting at the gene level and progressing through each class of bioligomers-DNA, RNA, proteins, glycans, polyketides, and terpenes-we study their chemistry, structure, and interactions with other molecules. Finally, we return to the subject of chemical control over gene expression. Although the majority of studies during the past millennium were based on organismal models, we focus as much as possible on human cells.

Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology is written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have completed one year of organic chemistry study. An introductory level of knowledge in biology is not considered necessary, but some familiarity with it will be beneficial. The book is also suitable for advanced students of health sciences. A series of chemical biology courses we teach at the University of California inspired the creation of this book. Every student in our courses speaks a common language-organic chemistry-but there is no one specific book that provides a satisfactory description of the cell at the level of atoms, bonds, and push-arrow mechanisms. Starting with fundamental and simple principles, this book gradually introduces complexity through its sections and chapters. For the undergraduate course, we simply skip the more advanced topics both in terms of study and lectures. This design offers flexibility in covering the material, depending on the length of the course and the level of the student.