Biological Calorimetry: Old Friend, New Insights

Abstract

Calorimetry is an old experimental technique (first instrument developed in S. XVIII), but it is broadly used and still provides key information for understanding biological processes at the molecular level, particularly, cooperative phenomena in protein interactions. Here, we review and highlight some key aspects of biological calorimetry. Several biological systems will be described in which calorimetry was instrumental for modeling the behavior of the protein and obtaining further biological insight.

Keywords

• biological calorimetry
• isothermal titration calorimetry
• protein interactions
• binding cooperativity
• MWC or concerted model
• KNF or sequential model