Contemporary Problems in Biology. Cell Constituent Analysis.
Abstract
The adaptation of methodologies from one scientific field to another is not uncommon. Technological advances in one field can often lead to great insight toward solving the problems of another. One very successful overlap can be observed between biochemistry and analytical chemistry. In particular, methods developed in analytical chemistry have been quite beneficial to the field of neurochemistry. This interaction between the two disciplines has resulted from the miniaturization of existing analytical techniques and the development of new methods able to analyze minute environments. These mmiatuiized techniques can be applied to the study of cellular environments. Several of these cellular envinonments are heterogeneous where each cell has its own function. Thus, the role of each cell must be determined individually. Once the specific function of each cell is understood, then its relation to other cells and to the entire organism can be determined. Only in this way can a true understanding of the chemistry of an entire organism be realized. The considerable interest in studying single cell chemistry has resulted in the development of a number of analytical techniques. These include enzyme activity measurements, immunoassay, microgel electrophoresis, fluorescence imaging techniques, microscale ion-selective electrodes voltammetric microelectrodes, microcolumn separation techniques optical and electron microscope techniques and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Although these methods have provided valuable inforaation, they have important limitations. Most suffer from either inadequate sensitivity, poor quantitative capabilities or an inability to monitor chemical dynamics on a time scale similar to the neurotransmission process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA294356
Entities
People
- Mark R. Wood
- Paula J. Beyer
- Robert J. Nowak
- Roxane A. Lee
- S. D. Gilmar
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University