Editing Biochemistry (section)

==Relationship to other "molecular-scale" biological sciences==
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[[File:Schematic relationship between biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology.svg|thumb|Schematic relationship between biochemistry, [[genetics]], and [[molecular biology]]]]

Researchers in biochemistry use specific techniques native to biochemistry, but increasingly combine these with techniques and ideas developed in the fields of [[genetics]], [[molecular biology]], and [[biophysics]]. There is not a defined line between these disciplines. Biochemistry studies the [[chemistry]] required for biological activity of molecules, molecular biology studies their biological activity, [[genetics]] studies their heredity, which happens to be carried by their [[genome]]. This is shown in the following schematic that depicts one possible view of the relationships between the fields:
* '''''Biochemistry''''' is the study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in live [[organism]]s. [[Biochemist]]s focus heavily on the role, function, and structure of [[biomolecule]]s. The study of the chemistry behind biological processes and the synthesis of biologically active molecules are applications of biochemistry. Biochemistry studies life at the atomic and molecular level.
* '''''Genetics''''' is the study of the effect of genetic differences in organisms. This can often be inferred by the absence of a normal component (e.g. one [[gene]]). The study of "[[mutant]]s" – organisms that lack one or more functional components with respect to the so-called "[[wild type]]" or normal [[phenotype]]. Genetic interactions ([[epistasis]]) can often confound simple interpretations of such "[[Gene knockout|knockout]]" studies.
* '''''Molecular biology''''' is the study of molecular underpinnings of the biological phenomena, focusing on molecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms and interactions. The [[central dogma of molecular biology]], where genetic material is transcribed into RNA and then translated into [[protein]], despite being oversimplified, still provides a good starting point for understanding the field. This concept has been revised in light of emerging novel roles for [[RNA]].
* '''''[[Chemical biology]]''''' seeks to develop new tools based on [[small molecule]]s that allow minimal perturbation of biological systems while providing detailed information about their function. Further, chemical biology employs biological systems to create non-natural hybrids between biomolecules and synthetic devices (for example emptied [[viral capsid]]s that can deliver [[gene therapy]] or [[Pharmaceutical drug|drug molecules]]).