Significance of the Real-Time Analysis of Biological Interactions

Abstract

One of the major purposes in the field of biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology is to study the interactions of two molecules in cells. Each mammalian cell is believed to have up to hundreds of thousands of different proteins. Each protein has its own specific function, but its function is exerted only when it reacts or interacts with other molecules in the living cells. In other words, the function is only realized with its relation or interaction with other molecules. Such interaction is stable in some cases, but unstable and transient in other cases. If one wants to understand protein functions in the context of life or metabolism, it is essential to analyze the interaction of a protein with another protein(s). Among these interactions, the protein-protein interaction is of great interest and importance. However, the interactions of proteins with other molecules including nucleotides, lipids, sugars and other small molecules are equally important.