Author Profile

Donald Reid is a distinguished biochemist, researcher, and educator with over three decades of experience at the forefront of molecular biology and chemical education. As the author of Principles of Biochemistry, Reid bridges the gap between complex molecular mechanisms and accessible student learning, establishing this text as a definitive resource for undergraduate and graduate sciences alike. Reid’s academic journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with highest honors in Molecular and Cell Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Harvard University, focusing his doctoral research on the structural biology of enzyme kinetics and metabolic regulation. Following his graduate work, he completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich, Germany, where he specialized in macromolecular complexes and cellular signaling pathways. For the past five years, Reid has served as a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Washington University in St. Louis. Known for his dynamic and innovative teaching style, he has introduced thousands of pre-med, biology, and chemistry students to the wonders of cellular life. His commitment to education has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Education and multiple "Professor of the Year" honors voted on by the student body. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Reid is a highly respected voice in the global scientific community. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed research papers in top-tier scientific journals, including Nature, Science, and The Journal of Biological Chemistry. His pioneering work on the structural mechanisms of enzyme catalysis has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic disorders, directly influencing contemporary drug discovery frameworks for metabolic diseases. He frequently serves as a keynote speaker at international biochemistry symposia and sits on the editorial boards of several leading biochemical publications.

About The Book

At its heart, the book operates on a striking premise: while the diversity of living organisms is dizzying, the chemical framework underlying all life is beautifully uniform. The author brilliantly navigates the reader through the microscopic laws governing cells, demonstrating that the complex, dynamic properties of living things emerge from a precise collection of inanimate molecules obeying the laws of thermodynamics. The book investigates how the spatial arrangement and three-dimensional architecture of biomolecules dictate their exact functions. Maps the intricate, interconnected highways of metabolic pathways that cells use to extract, conserve, and expend energy. Traces how genetic data is safely stored, replicated, and translated into physical living structures. The content moves systematically from basic atomic interactions to the staggering complexity of macro-level systems. The book beautifully establishes that life is governed by weak, non-covalent forces (hydrogen bonds, ionic, and hydrophobic interactions) taking place within an aqueous environment. As Lehninger famously put it, "Four weak forces hold every cell together. The rest of biochemistry is just their consequences." It provides a meticulous deep-dive into the "workhorses of the cell". This includes the structural complexities of amino acids, the precise folding mechanisms and kinetics of enzymes, and the structures of carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. The book masterfully untangles complex pathways like Glycolysis, the Citric Acid Cycle, Oxidative Phosphorylation, and Lipid Biosynthesis. Rather than presenting them as isolated maps to memorize, it frames them as a highly coordinated, harmonized symphony controlled by precise hormonal and biosignaling networks. Principles of Biochemistry is engineered primarily for undergraduate biochemistry majors, pre-med students, and advanced life science scholars. However, because of its accessible prose and exceptional clarity, it is frequently used as an invaluable reference manual by physics graduate students, professional researchers, and lifelong learners who want to understand the wonder of life at its most fundamental level.

Table of Contents

Preface
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Biochemistry Is a Modern Science
The Chemical Elements of Life
Many Important Macromolecules Are Polymers
The Energetics of Life
Biochemistry and Evolution
The Cell Is the Basic Unit of Life
Prokaryotic Cells: Structural Features
Eukaryotic Cells: Structural Features
A Picture of the Living Cell
Biochemistry Is Multidisciplinary

CHAPTER 2: AMINO ACIDS AND THE PRIMARY STRUCTURES OF PROTEINS
General Structure of Amino Acids
Structures of the 20 Common Amino Acids
Other Amino Acids and Amino Acid Derivatives
Ionization of Amino Acids
Peptide Bonds Link Amino Acids in Proteins
Protein Purification Techniques
Analytical Techniques
Amino Acid Composition of Proteins
Determining the Sequence of Amino Acid Residues
Protein Sequencing Strategies
Comparisons of the Primary Structures of Proteins Reveal Evolutionary Relationships
Summary

CHAPTER 3: PROTEINS: THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
There Are Four Levels of Protein Structure
Methods for Determining Protein Structure
The Conformation of the Peptide Group
The a Helix
b Strands and b Sheets
Loops and Turns
Tertiary Structure of Proteins
Quaternary Structure
Summary

CHAPTER 4: CHROMATOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
Principles Of Chromatography
Chromatographic Performance Parameters
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Adsorption Chromatography
Partition Chromatography
Ion-Exchange Chromatography
Molecular (Size) Exclusion Chromatography

CHAPTER 5: CELL MEMBRANE RECEPTORS AND CELL SIGNALLING
Receptors For Cell Signalling
Quantitative Aspects Of Receptor–Ligand Binding
Quantitative Characterisation Of Receptor–Ligand Binding
Ligand-Binding And Cell-Signalling Studies
Mechanisms Of Signal Transduction
Receptor Trafficking

CHAPTER 6: RECOMBINANT DNA AND GENETIC ANALYSIS
Introduction
Constructing Gene Libraries
Cloning Vectors
Large Insert Capacity Vectors
Hybridisation And Gene Probes
Screening Gene Libraries
Applications Of Gene Cloning

CHAPTER 7: IMMUNOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES
Introduction
Harnessing The Immune System For Antibody Production
Making Antibodies
Antibody Purification
Immunoassay Formats
Immuno Microscopy
Lateral Flow Devices
Epitope Mapping
Immunoblotting
Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACs)
Cell And Tissue Staining Techniques
Immunocapture Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Immunoaffinity Chromatography (IAC)
Antibody-Based Biosensors
Therapeutic Antibodies
The Future Uses Of Antibody Technology

CHAPTER 8: PROTEIN STRUCTURE, PURIFICATION, CHARACTERISATION AND FUNCTION ANALYSIS
Ionic Properties Of Amino Acids And Proteins
Protein Structure
Protein Purification
Protein Structure Determination
Glycoproteins
Proteomics And Protein Function

CHAPTER 9: MASS SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUES
Introduction
Ionisation
Mass Analysers
Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Ms
Detectors
Structural Information By Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Analysing Protein Complexes

CHAPTER 10: ELECTROPHORETIC TECHNIQUES
General Principles
Support Media
Electrophoresis Of Proteins
Detection, Estimation And Recovery Of Proteins In Gels
Electrophoresis Of Nucleic Acids

BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX