Biophysical techniques

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Biophysical techniques are methods used for gaining information about biological systems on an atomic or molecular level. They overlap with methods from other branches of science.

Main biophysical techniques are:

Scientist using a stereo microscope outfitted with a digital imaging pick-up

Circular dichroism, a method for detecting chiral groups in molecules, especially to determine the secondary structure of proteins
Dual Polarisation Interferometry, an analytical technique used to understand the real-time structure and behaviour of a wide range of molecular systems and interactions through quantitative measurement.
Electron microscopy, to gain high-resolution images of subcellular structures
Fluorescence spectroscopy, which can be used to detect structural rearrangements, as well as interactions of biomolecules
Force spectroscopy probes the mechanical properties of individual molecules or macromolecular assemblies using small flexible cantilevers, focussed laser light, or magnetic fields.
Gel electrophoresis, which is used to determine the mass, the charge and the interactions of biological molecules
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry or ITC which measure the heat effects caused by interactions
Mass spectrometry is a technique that gives the molecular mass with great accuracy.
Microscopy, for example using laser instruments for scanning and transmission.
Optical tweezers and Magnetic tweezers allow for the manipulation of single molecules, providing information about DNA and its interaction with proteins and molecular motors, such as Helicase and RNA polymerase.
NMR spectroscopy, giving information about the exact structure of biological molecules, as well as on dynamics
Single molecule spectroscopy is a general term applied to a class of techniques that are sensitive enough to detect single molecules and often incorporates fluorescence detection.
Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a technique that gives a rough low resolution molecular structure.
Spectrophotometry, the measurement of the transmission of light through different solutions or substances at different wavelengths of light. Colorimetry is an example of this.
Ultracentrifugation, which gives information on the shape and mass of molecules
various chromatography technique, which are used for the purification and analysis of biological molecules
X-ray crystallography, another method to gain access to the exact structure of molecules with atomic resolution