Most proteins fold into unique three-dimensional structures. This understanding is the topic of the scientific field of structural biology, which employs traditional techniques such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and Circular Dichroism spectrometry to determine the structure of proteins. To be able to perform their biological function, proteins fold into one or more specific spatial conformations driven by a number of non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic packing. The size of a protein is an important physical characteristic and scientists often use particle size analysers in their studies to discuss protein size or molecular weight. Many proteins are enzymes that catalyse biochemical reactions and are vital to metabolism. Essential parts of organisms, they participate in virtually every process within cells. Proteins do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the bodyвЂ™s tissues and organs.

There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein and the sequence of amino acids determines each proteinвЂ™s unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function. Proteins are made up of hundreds of thousands of smaller units that are arranged in a linear chain and folded into a globular form.

TheyвЂ™re large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. Proteins, also known as polypeptides, are organic compounds made up of amino acids.

Amino acid sequence analysis