Moléculaires

Moléculaires is the French adjective meaning molecular. It is used to describe phenomena, methods, or structures at the scale of individual molecules or small assemblies. The term appears across scientific fields, notably in biologie moléculaire, chimie moléculaire and physique moléculaire, where it marks attention to matter at the molecular level rather than bulk properties. In biologie moléculaire, research centers on the molecular basis of biological activity, including interactions among DNA, RNA and proteins. In chimie moléculaire, emphasis is on the synthesis, structure and reactivity of discrete molecules. In physique moléculaire, investigators study molecular energy levels, spectra, motion, and dynamics, often combining experimental and theoretical approaches.

Techniques associated with molecular sciences include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, cloning, and various spectroscopies (NMR, IR, UV-Vis), crystallography, and mass spectrometry, as well as computational methods such as molecular modeling and dynamics simulations. These methods enable applications in drug design, diagnostics, materials science, and fundamental studies of reaction mechanisms.

Historically, the molecular approach emerged in the 20th century with advances in molecular biology and chemistry, leading to a vocabulary that frequently pairs moléculaire descriptors with field names. The term moléculaires functions as a descriptor rather than a standalone discipline, shaping how researchers frame questions about molecules and their interactions.