Bioconjugation is the covalent linking together of biomolecules to produce a hybrid molecule with properties of both its precursors. This book is a compendium of methodologies, recipes, and applications of bioconjugation that have produced useful molecules. This is a useful book with lots of practical knowledge, a good index, and an adequate list of references to the primary literature. Bioconjugated molecules have found places in nearly all fields of the modern life science, ranging from new reagents for understanding basic mechanisms, to diagnostic tools and exciting new therapeutics at the very edge of biotechnological research and development. The author has succeeded in the formidable task of collecting and presenting, in accessible and practical ways, the common chemical foundations for a diverse assortment of bioconjugations. This book will find a place in the library or on the reading stand of all people interested in this area including bench scientists (students or seasoned veterans) in academic and industrial research, patent lawyers, perhaps, or anyone seeking to get a handle on this burgeoning field. Even the senior professional who has contributed to the primary literature may appreciate having a fairly large amount of information in one place. The author himself is in the thick of bioconjugation products at Pierce Chemical Company in Rockford, IL, with a track record in haptogen creation and in biotinylation, and he has provided a great service by relating the do's, don'ts, and possible blind alleys and sidetracks gained from both personal experience as well as collective wisdom. The book is not particularly biased toward Pierce's products; the BODIPY line of newfluorescent dyes produced by at least one competitor, Molecular Probes, Inc. of Beaverton, OR, is covered. Beginning with an overview of the structures of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates and their reactive functional groups, the first part of the book emphasizes reaction mechanisms. The second section covers a broad assortment of available reactive compounds. These reagents are considered both from the perspective of the functional groups they modify and then from the types of reaction products they generate, in an especially comprehensive section. Containing not only detailed protocols useful for particular conjugation reactions, it also considers possible pitfalls and side reactions and offers cautionary procedures for improving chances of desired results. The final part of the book covers some very specific applications such as the generation of immunogenic haptens, hybrid antibody molecule formation with a detailed treatment of immunotoxins, attachment of a variety of functional moieties to lipids to make special liposomes for drug delivery, and the labeling of nucleic wills with fluorescent and active probes. The only potential problems with this book might be currency (nearly all available fluorescent probes are covered, with one notable exception -- the cyanine dyes that are rapidly growing their utility in generating fluorescent antibodies), the odd reference that is not especially helpful, or an omitted reference that demystifies a field (such as liposome formation). These are trivial quibbles, of course, with a generally magnificent work that covers such a broad area and packs in a great many useful details. I am glad that someone finally wrote this book. Bravo!
"Most of the chapters address specific systems and reagents such as (strept) avidin-biotin, silane coupling, buckyballs & fullerenes, antibodies, liposome conjugates, and modified nucleotides—as well as a few chapters on observation techniques such as fluorescent probes and isotopic labeling. Also new since the last edition is a chapter addressing immobilization in chromatography." —ProtoView.com, February 2014
"This is an incomparable and essential guide for any scientist involved in conjugating biologically active molecules. The new edition does not disappoint with its liberal use of color (especially in reaction schemes), expanded pages, and newly added chapters. For those interested in bioconjugate chemistry, you may soon find that this is the only book on your research library shelf!" Rating: 5 Stars —Doody.com, February 2014
Reviewer: Jed N. Lampe, Ph.D.(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This book has served as the de facto bible for bioconjugate chemists since the first edition in 1996. This third edition, updated with all new color figures, continues to set the standard as a comprehensive guide for researchers wishing to conjugate their favorite protein or nucleic acid to a label or chemical handle.
Purpose: The author's goal is to distill the vast field of bioconjugate chemistry down to three core areas — chemistry, reagent systems, principal applications — and then cover each of them in depth. While providing a practical overview, this book also serves as a comprehensive methods manual that both veteran and novice researchers can use effectively. The complete, easy-to-follow protocols make this a wonderful bench top laboratory reference in its own right.
Audience: It is directed at any research chemist, biochemist, or student who has ever had the problem of wanting to track a protein or nucleic acid in a biological milieu or cell extract but has lacked the tools and knowledge to do so. Here they will find all the information necessary to prepare, conjugate, and purify a molecule of interest with a minimal expenditure of time and resources. The author has poured a career worth of experience into a tidy, efficient bench top manual.
Features: New in this edition are entirely updated color figures, an introductory overview chapter on bioconjugation, and a chapter with an extensive discussion of immobilization chemistry, critical for purifying any conjugated biomolecule. Readers will enjoy the succinct, straightforward protocols as well as the brief introductions at the beginning of each chapter and liberal references for each technique.
Assessment: This is an incomparable and essential guide for any scientist involved in conjugating biologically active molecules. The new edition does not disappoint with its liberal use of color (especially in reaction schemes), expanded pages, and newly added chapters. For those interested in bioconjugate chemistry, you may soon find that this is the only book on your research library shelf!
