bioconjugations

Bioconjugation is a process that involves the covalent or non-covalent attachment of one molecule to another biological molecule. This technique is widely used in various scientific fields, including molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine. The goal of bioconjugation is to create new molecules with modified properties or functionalities for specific applications.

Common bioconjugation strategies include the formation of amide bonds, thioether linkages, or disulfide bonds. These reactions are often carried out using activated functional groups on one of the molecules, which then react with complementary functional groups on the other molecule. For example, a carboxyl group can be activated to react with an amine group, forming a stable amide bond.

Bioconjugates have numerous applications. In diagnostics, they are used to create antibody-drug conjugates for targeted cancer therapy or fluorescently labeled antibodies for imaging. In research, bioconjugates can be used to study protein-protein interactions, develop biosensors, or immobilize enzymes onto solid supports. The precise control over the attachment of molecules allows for the creation of tailored tools to investigate and manipulate biological systems. The development of new bioconjugation chemistries continues to expand the possibilities of this versatile technique.