Molecular Biology

Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand
the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells,
including biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The
study of chemical and physical structure of biological macromolecules is known as
molecular biology.

Molecular biology was first described as an approach focused on the underpinnings
of biological phenomena – uncovering the structures of biological molecules as well as
their interactions, and how these interactions explain observations of classical biology

Various techniques have been developed for molecular biology, though researchers
in the field may also employ methods and techniques native to genetics and other
closely associated fields. In particular, molecular biology seeks to understand the
three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules through techniques such
as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The discipline particularly seeks to
understand the molecular basis of genetic processes; molecular biologists map the
location of genes on specific chromosomes, associate these genes with particular
characters of an organism, and use genetic engineering (recombinant DNA
technology) to isolate, sequence, and modify specific genes. These approaches can
also include techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and
microarray analysis.