Analysis of biological macromolecules An introduction

Artificial biological macromolecules have enjoyed considerable growth since biotechnology processes made it possible to synthesize them. These processes encompass techniques for using living materials to synthesize or modify molecules. Through the integrated application of biochemical and microbiological sciences, genetics and chemical engineering, biotechnologies enable the industrial development of the capacities and properties of micro-organisms, cell cultures and the products derived from them. They can be found in all the major fields of application: agri-food, health, marine biodiversity and the environment.

New products have thus emerged. In the agricultural sector, the selection of new varieties is based on advances in molecular genetics, and results in improved plant resistance to bad weather or predators, as well as higher yields. In the agri-food sector, we are witnessing the development of new proteins, as well as accelerated growth in livestock. In the healthcare field, spectacular progress has been made, with the rapidly expanding production of vaccines from purified proteins, synthetic peptides and monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic purposes.

The purpose of the "Analysis of biological macromolecules" section is not to enter into the multiple controls to which biotechnological products must be subjected: microbiological, biological, immunological, etc., nor to enter into the regulations which, at international or European level, provide a better understanding of the problems. Only analytical chemistry is involved, providing analytical methods that contribute to our knowledge of the structure of macromolecules, while at the same time constituting a quality tool for production analysis.

This article is an introduction to the articles in the "Analysis of biological macromolecules" section.